Teddy Wayne Williams

On November 6, 2024 on what was expected to be a normal school morning, Theodore Wayne Williams left behind a world of chaos and uncertainty and ran into the eager and peaceful arms of his loving God.

Teddy was born on December 19, 2012 to Matthew and Jaclynn Williams in Overland Park, Kansas. As messages have flooded in since his unexpected departure his loved ones have been reminded again and again of the way he chose to live his life with kindness, joy, purity, generosity, and intention. As a dear classmate and lifelong friend shared, he was “the most loved boy in the world”. 

From a young age Teddy wanted to be an engineer. He learned to code robots, knew everything about computers and VR headsets, and tirelessly built massive Lego sets too advanced for most adults. A lifelong learner, Teddy recently began learning Japanese, the trombone, theater set design, and how to create video games. He loved watching Godzilla movies and building models with his dad, going on spontaneous adventures and singing karaoke with his mom, reading his beloved Warrior Cats books again and again, and spending time laughing with his friends and dog. 

Teddy will be remembered for the great care he had for others. He never thought twice about giving all of his Halloween Sour Patch Kids and Reese’s Cups to his parents, building one-of-a-kind cube cats for his teachers and friends, lovingly reading to his younger cousins, finding the perfect joke or funny video to make his dad smile, or dazzling his mom with a silly dance and serenade of her favorite boy band song after a rough day. He was unapologetically himself and loved recklessly and without hesitation, just like the Jesus Christ he carried in his heart. 

Teddy is survived by his parents, Matthew and Jaclynn Williams, and many grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, countless friends, and chosen family. He is preceded in death by grandmothers Carol Heffren and Debra Heffren and his dear Uncle Patrick Rohrer, who he fondly remembered as having let him have huge milkshakes before meals. 

A short service will be held at Town and Country Christian Church of Topeka on Saturday, 11/16/2024 at 11:30 am and will be followed by a time filled with joy, food, and a few of Teddy’s favorite things. To celebrate his beautifully quirky soul we respectfully request that you consider wearing mismatched socks, video game related attire, or your favorite hoodie as you come to celebrate the life of an amazing boy. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Topeka Zoo in honor of Teddy's love for animals.  It has always been known that Teddy was going to change the world in a big way with his brilliance, kindness, and joy. While not in the way we expected there is no doubt that he will continue to make the world brighter as those lucky enough to have known him are now tasked with carrying out his legacy in the way they speak to others, the way they inspire change, the way they create beautiful things, and the way they love freely and without limits. 

“When you look up at the sky at night, since I’ll be living on one of the stars, since I’ll be laughing on one of them, for you it will be as if all the stars are laughing. And when you’re consoled, you’ll be glad you’ve known me. And it will be as if I’ve given you, instead of stars, a lot of tiny bells that know how to laugh. You’ll always be my friend." 

-Antoine de St. Exupery

“The Little Prince”