Stephan "Steph" Thomas Williams, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2022, at his home in Jackson, MS.

On April 16, 1991, Steph was born to Edward Stephan "Steve" Williams and Laura Durham Leach in Florence, AL, during the Gulf War. His father's military unit had been activated and deployed to help US efforts overseas. While deployed, Steve was present for Steph's birth via telephone with the help of a few savvy nurses at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

In 2009, Steph graduated from Clinton High School in his hometown of Clinton, MS. While in high school, Steph was a member of the gifted program and an active participant in Clinton High School's creative arts programs and theatrical productions. It was during his time in Clinton public schools that Steph began to form countless enduring friendships.

After high school graduation, Steph was in no hurry to enroll in college like many of his peers. Instead, Steph chose to forge his own unconventional path in this world. He packed everything he could need or want into a single backpack and hitchhiked his way from Mississippi to San Francisco, California, with a few stops along the way. Steph's charisma and charm enabled him to amass a robust support system of like-minded friends who kept him company on his various wanderings across the United States.

Over the next several years, Steph traveled up and down the west coast, rarely staying in the same place for more than a night or two. On a whim, Steph would decide he wanted a change of scenery, so he would leave Southern California and find his way to Seattle, Washington, or Portland, Oregon with only his gregarious personality, beat-up 6-string guitar (that actually had 4 strings), and backpack to get him there. When Steph longed for all the creature comforts of home (like a hot shower, reliable access to a washing machine, a cozy bed with clean linens, and his mother's savory beef stroganoff), he would call home and announce that he was hopping on the next bus out of the nearest Greyhound station. Once home, Steph would spin yarns about his many misadventures to anyone who would ask. He would also work odd jobs here and there to scrape together enough bucks to buy a pack of cigarettes, play his guitar at all hours of the day, and visit with the people who missed him while he was out aimlessly drifting.

While living the life of a wandering man, Steph happened to fall into a few jobs that he was incredibly passionate about. He could talk for hours about the impact these jobs had on his growth and development, and the lessons he learned from the book of life. The first job Steph often reminisced about was the time he spent working on a Medical Marijuana Farm in the Emerald Forest area of California. The second job was his stint as a Supervisor with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp in Taos, New Mexico. Steph was attracted to many facets of the rambler's life. He cherished living in the lesser known wild and undeveloped parts of the US. In Steph's world, money had no meaning; the only currency that mattered was the measurement of one's selfless dedication to the group and contribution to making sure everyone saw the next sunrise.

While in Taos, New Mexico, on one of his many ventures, Steph met the mother of his two daughters, Jade and Jocelyn. It was in Taos that Steph unearthed his passion for blazing new and rigorous hiking trails, which would later become a metaphor for his life. He had this unique ability to convince you to join him on one of his arduous treks (by leaving out the arduous part) because he would describe, with glorious detail, the picture perfect view that awaits you at the top. Steph often failed to mention that views were 7 miles away (one-way). Yet, like many things in his life, Steph was right about the bigger picture. The views that he promised did not disappoint, even if you were struggling to catch your breath while taking it all in.

During his many peregrinations, Steph had ample time to nurture his deep love for writing music, playing the guitar (he was self-taught), and painting elaborate canvas portraits. Steph always knew the best places to busk for a few extra coins so he could nab one of his favorite food staples—the burritos at 711. There were times when Steph would try his hand at the 8-5 work schtick, but his restless heart beckoned him back to his wayfaring lifestyle. Steph's soul belonged to the paths less traveled, where he felt wholly liberated from societal expectations to "settle down." Settling down was never part of Steph's DNA. His untamed spirit could not be contained to one place for any length of time. Steph's grandfather, Tom, was a steadfast champion of his free-spirited quest for the next newer and better adventure. The rest of us waited patiently for Steph to plant some roots.

In 2019, Steph returned home to Clinton, where he welcomed the birth of his son, Iniko, shortly thereafter. The greatest joy in Steph's life was becoming a father to his three children. His love for Jade, Jocelyn, and Iniko was truly unbreakable and, often provided him with inspiration for his creative pursuits.

Steph struggled to vanquish the relentless dependencies that challenged him. However, it is not Steph's battle for sobriety that will be remembered. It is Steph's brilliance, artistic prowess, unyielding devotion to his father, genuine compassion, incessant demand to be right and his constant urge to be the contrarian, absolute love for his mother, infinite creativity, sharp wit, deep connection to his siblings and their children, his permanent half-crooked smile, and his boundless heart that are seared into the memories of all those who love him and miss him.

Steph is survived by a large, blended family, including his three children, Jade Lois Williams, Jocelyn Monroe Williams, and Iniko Moon Williams. He is also survived by his grandparents, Louise Williams Coke and Gretel and Tom Ekbaum. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Lathan Eugene Williams. He is also survived by parents Steve Williams (Misti), Laura Leach (David), his younger brother Lathan "Spud" Williams, his older sisters Hillary Dove, Meredith Gerhart, and Elizabeth Cooley (Michael), his stepsiblings, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

An open house celebration of life gathering will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church's Fellowship Hall, 643 Beasley Road, Jackson, MS 39206 from 3pm - 5pm. Attire is casual.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services, PO Box 2917, Jackson, MS 39207 or online at www.harborhousejackson.org.