The country has once again been plunged into mourning two days into the 2009 Carnival season with the death of another icon. Popular arranger and former football player William Lewis, described by many as Antigua?s most sought after musical arranger, passed away during the very celebration that made him a music legend.
Lewis, 57, died at about 10 am yesterday in the Intensive Care Unit at Mount St John?s Medical Centre, after he suffered a heart attack and lapsed into a coma early Friday morning.
Born in Gray?s Farm into a music-oriented family, Lewis was the nephew of calypso writer and one of the first persons to chair the Carnival Development Committee, Marcus Christopher.
During the 1970s, Lewis played football for a team in Ottos before going on to play for Antigua Grammar School?s ?Superstars.?
The deceased, along with his late twin brother Alfred ?Ashby? Lewis, Sir Vivian Richards and Director of Sports Mervyn Richards played for the Golden Grove Lion Hill Spliff, contributing to the team winning four championships.
?He was one of the best players Antigua has ever seen,? Richards said. ?We (persons in sports) always miss him, but we think of the happy moments we had together.?
Reflecting on his elder brother?s life, Happy Lewis said William was the rock of their family after Ashby died in 2000. William died under similar conditions as his twin brother.
?William is the greatest brother anybody could have ?? Happy told The Daily OBSERVER. ?? He was our (back bone); he was our pillar after we lost Ashby.
?William was the guy who was almost like the head of the family ? my mother wanted a gas, she had to call William ? It could be anything, she had to call William ? It is a big, big loss for us. He left too early, but we are trained to understand life and we believe in God.?
The musician was at the epitome of his musical arranging career in 1984 when he composed the music for Swallow?s Road March hit Satan Coming Down.
William was also the arranger behind King Progress? Oldie Goldie Party and You Getting It in that year ? songs which made Progress the Calypso Monarch for 1984.
The deceased was responsible for calypso successes such as Edimelo, Sleepy, Shanti, Willi Wa Wa, Singing Sandra, and many others.
He played alongside other musicians in shows with calypso legends including David Rudder, The Mighty Sparrow and King Short Shirt.
?Any name you can call, they went through William,? Happy said. ?All the calypsonians who would be well-known now, at some point, they had to deal with William, basically.?
Meanwhile, Eustace ?Shanti? Edwards said the icon was responsible for his breakthrough into the calypso arena.
?? William Lewis is one of them real Antiguans that really represent in music, football, cricket, you name it, Willy was there ?,? Edwards said.
Last thursday when my cousin naomi called me at work and told me that william is in the hospital he is in a coma, i couldnot contain myself, i cried constantlyy, i could not believe it =, i just kept saying ..”NO, NOT AGAIN..”, just thinking back to Ashby, his twin who passed nine years ago. but when naomi called me on monday and said ..”brenda…he did not make it …”, I said to her …”who did make it? ..”, thinking she is talking about my little cousin here in new york who is also very ill, she said ..”no willy ..”. I felt like a part of me died, willy was my first cousin but we grew up like brothers and sistersin the same house, his mom ruth lewis is my aunt, but i call her mommy. his late father Alfred pope Lewis i called him daddy, even though my own father sennae was around. so we were that close.
willy my loving and caring cousinyou will be missed. i am remembering the times when he visited me in new york back in the 80′s & 90′s we had so much fun, he woulsd actually cook corned beef and corn, that was all he can cook, at that time i dont know if he expanded but he knew i was coming home, so he made sure i had something to eat.
he was so much fun, but he also was a no-nonsense kind of person. he always told me when i was messing up saying “babe ruth, you stupid? what stupidness u ah do..”. we would argue but at the end of the day we were best friends again, we never stayed mad at each other for long. He loved his family so much, his kids, and wife he lived for. we could always call on him for advise on anything, he was always there and never said no.
the impact he had in music in the carribean.
Remebering him in New York when he had me walking blocks and blocks to sam ash music store, looking for music sheets and whatever else having to do with music. Yes he was a music Icon.
…”willy i love you and will never forget you. you will always a part of me…”
R.I.P my cuz willy,
-Baby Ruth
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My brother William “willy” Lewis,
After hearing the news that my brother was in the hospital, after he came home not feeling well, i called my family and told them not to stop praying, the fact that dianne got him to hospital was hope that he would survive, i prayed and asked god to help william, and my family to be strong. Coming from a family that would not give up, i knew someone should have faith.
The next day i heard he was recovering, that was exciting news. 3 days later, i recieved a phone call stating “william died naomi”, suddenly i was deeply saddened. i then look for comfort from my cousins, Lornette & Brenda, who is also trying to mend what seems like a broken heart. I then had flashbacks of when he was in New York (July 2008) buying music supplies, then his important role in my childhood, & how he was there to hold us and wipe our tears after the lost of our father Alfred “pope” Lewis Sr. & brother Alfred “Ashby” Lewis Jr. He was indeed the backbone of our family , & he will be truly missed.
“…william i love you big brother, you will always have a place in my heart, not only will i mourn, but i will also celebrate the years you were in my life, and your genius in music .. r.i.p willy …love, “nomes”.
P.S
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i will never forget the day when ms pope told you, you werent allowed to go to the football championship, because you refused to go to church. you was so upset that day
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