Wilford Nathaniel Seward Jr

wilford seward

August 7, 1969 ~ December 4, 2024

Born in: Champaign, IL
Resided in: Milwaukee, WI

Wilford Nathaniel Seward, Jr, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was born in Champaign, Illinois. Wilford left to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 4, 2024. He was born on August 7, 1969, to Wilford Nathaniel Sr. and Shirley Mae Seward. Wilford married his high school sweetheart, Elnore Marie McKinley-Seward on August 24, 2002. God gave Mr. Wilford Jr. an army of boys, Kino McKinley (Vachica), Zachary Brown-Seward, and Kion McKinley, Daughter-in-love; Lakiesha Russell, and seven grandchildren; Antiono McKinley, Josiah McKinley, Janiyah McKinley, Kion McKinley Jr., Kiondre McKinley, Zaylee Brown, and Nasir Brown. At an early age, Wilford Jr. was baptized and spent his early years as a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Champaign, IL. Wilford Jr. understood his need and desire to have Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. In a special moment with his wife, Elnore, Wilford Jr. reaffirmed his salvation on December 3, 2024. He is now rejoicing in heaven with his parents, Wilford and Shirley who went to heaven in April 2011 and December 2015, his grandparents, Albert and Mae Ella Peat, Uncle George Seward, Aunts, Linda and Doris Peat.

Wilford Jr. was a 1987 graduate of Champaign Central High School. Wilford Jr. excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. Wilford Jr.’s work ethic on the field and career resembled that of Wilford Sr. Wilford Jr. was a natural athlete whose ability was recognized among other athletes and their parents. Parents paid Wilford Jr., as a middle schooler, to teach their sons how to pitch. Wilford Jr. was the MVP of Landmark Real Estate Baseball and the Untouchables Basketball Teams, where he was a pitcher, catcher, and a guard. In 1987, Wilford Jr. was the only player who made the News Gazette All Area First Team in both football and basketball. His experience, skills, and passion resulted in coaching stints for Shorewood Middle and High School Basketball and Football, Milwaukee Marshall Basketball and Football, and Milwaukee Lutheran High School Football as well as St. Phillips Lutheran Middle School Girls Basketball.

Wilford Jr. attended Lewis and Clark Community College, Alton, IL and Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. Wilford Jr. also worked for Quad Graphic for 25 years. He retired in 2015. Upon his retirement, Wilford Jr. became the family historian and the bridge between each of this siblings’ families. He remembered the birthdays and anniversaries of each sibling and their children. He also became the greatest supporter of each of his nephews and nieces. Wilford Jr. was aware of every athletic event. He continuously shared the time, location, and television broadcast of each of his nephews and nieces’ athletic events. Wilford Jr. was able to coach his nephews’ and nieces’ improvement from his television and in-person views. It was without effort that Wilford Jr. was everyone’s favorite uncle.

Wilford Jr. is survived by his siblings, Barbara (Houston) Johnson, Willie Seward, Dwayne Peeples, Jovita King, James Earl (Valinda) Peat, Marion Todd Sr. (Jana) Peat, Pamela (Michael) White, Kimberly (Steffond) Seward-Burton, Tammy Newton, Anira Peat-Seward, Shyla Peat-Seward, Montrell Peat-Seward, David Seward, Katoria Seward, Darnell Seward, Taija Seward, and Tetreanna Seward. Father and mother in laws, Henry and Donna McKinley; Aunts, Beverly Napper, Christine Griggs, Wilma McNeal, and Beverly Ross. Uncle, Larry Peat. Brother-in-laws, Marion (Joyce) Harrington, Roy McKinley, Donald McKinley, and Kenya McKinley. Sister in- law, Dawn McKinley. Honorary Brothers and Best Friend, James “Bubba” Clemons, Byron L. (Jill) Smith Sr., Andre (Suzanne) Newton, Lyndell (Stephanie) Clemons, Michael Clemons, Shoundell Clemons, and Jerome Moore. Honorary Sister: Tuawillia Clemons. Traveling Buddies and Coaching Friends: Troy Coleman, Richard Watkins, Gregory Bonds, and Courtney Gardner, and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation and Funeral services will be held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church 2207 North 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI 53212 on December 20, 2024. Visitation from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, followed by the funeral at 11:00 AM. Bishop Byron L. Smith Sr., M.DIV., M.A., D.D. from Los Angeles, California will officiate. Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services, 7625 West Appleton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53222 are entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Condolences can be made online at Paradise Memorial Funeral Home Milwaukee. Flowers can be ordered and sent to Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Monetary Donations can be made to Elnore McKinley’s Cash App ($ElnoreMckinley) or Zelle at elnore4me@gmail.com for Wilford Seward Jr.

Interment: Private

All Services Trusted to:
Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services
7625 W. Appleton Avenue

Services

Visitation: December 20, 2024 10:00 am

Mt. Zion Baptist Church
2207 N. 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI 53212
Milwaukee, wi 53212


Celebration of Life: December 20, 2024 11:00 am

Mt. Zion Baptist Church
2207 N. 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI 53212
Milwaukee, wi 53212


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  1. Through facebook, Wilford and I spoke often. We both our sports and families. He always acknowledged my travels and birthdays. We always to link, inviting my a couple times to New Orleans. Our last conversation was about Koa being drafted and coming to Philadelphia for to watch him play. I’m so grateful that we stayed in touch with each other. I remember fondly of meeting Wilford at Edison Middle School. A truly great athlete and better person. May you rest in Peace brother!!

  2. This is a time to celebrate the life you lived, the life Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior blessed you with. We are to take away the goodness of the fruit you shared with us, showing us how to let our light shine. We thank you for your obedience, it is a lamp unto our path and a light unto our feet. Thank you once again for letting Jesus use you to show us the way. Amen

  3. I want to express my deepest sympathies
    to the Seward family. I only know your family through 25 years of serving the Charlotte communtiy with Pamela. But through her, I feel the love from all her stories. I am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my prayers.

    JL

  4. O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding, listen to the prayers of your faithful people: that those weighed down by grief at the loss of their loved one may find reassurance in your infinite goodness.
    Through Christ our Lord.

  5. My dear nephew (Wilford Jr),

    I am sitting here feeling so full, so I started looking back on my memories with you. Memories that included meeting out of town, our phone calls, laughing, joking, and harassing each other’s. (Thank you for letting me harass your grandsons). I especially love these two memories of you telling me that I was your favorite Aunt, and you found out that I was at Steffond and Kim without you. You told me that you told Kim to let you know when I was coming, because you wanted to spend time with me too. (Oh, how I miss and love you). I am forever grateful for our time together.

    Wilford, Jr., you have touched so many people all in a special way that when we think of you, we will smile, and thank you for letting us love you and you loving us.

    Your favorite Aunt Wilma

  6. Wilford was a great brother, uncle, brother-in-law, husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family. I saw so much of our dad in him. He was caring, and a big giver. He was an amazing person. I will totally miss my baby brother. My love and fond memories of you will never be forgotten. You too like our parents left a legacy that will go on forever. Rest my brother, well deserved!

  7. Wow, I still cannot believe that you are gone my baby brother. I will have to find yet another way to get through this loss. My memories of you, I will hold dearly to my heart. You will always be loved and never forgotten. Thanks for being the best brother, uncle and brother-in-law. Don’t worry about my Ellie Mae, we got her! Keep everyone in line up there. I know Uncle George is cutting up, lol. Love you!

    Your baby sister, Kim


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