Biography: William “Uncle Just” Anthony Strickland was born on September 16, 1965 to Barbara Little Strickland and Walter Allan Combs Sr. Affectionately known by most as “Uncle Just” had recently converted to Islam and took the name “Hamza Asim Ismail”.
William attended both East New York and Erasmus Hall High School. He was highly intelligent and became bored with school, so while still attending High School, he decided to get his GED.
William worked several jobs over the course of his career, spending time in North Carolina and New York, most recently he worked as a Residential Aide in Brooklyn, until his health started to decline, and he was no longer able to work.
William had the biggest heart and was known for his generosity, always giving his last to help someone even if it meant he had to go without.
Throughout his life, William took on several different names or personas… Bill, William, Just Allah, Uncle Just, Mr. Strickland, the Big Man they never try, and Hamza, but being called “Uncle Just” gave him the most joy. He loved when his nieces and nephews called him “Uncle Just” and he used that title for most of his adult life often referring to himself as Uncle Just.
By nature, William was a protector of all things and being called Uncle made him feel cherished, worthy and respected and it tasked him with the responsibility to look after them. Above all, William loved his family and friends as they held a special place in his heart.
William passed away on August 9, 2021, from his illness. He was proceeded in death by both his parents, his brothers Gilbert and Johnny and his sisters Marian and Carol. William leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Ladaya. Sisters Ellen (James), Asia and brother Walter (Philippa). Nephews Darryl, Kazar, Divine, Dwayne, David, Stephen, Darnell, Eli, Maliki, Jamell, Tahj, and Nyar. Nieces Tonya, Dawn, Donna, Gina, Nykyetta, Tameca, Dishayna, and Shawnta and a host of great nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.
William also had a very close friend/brother Malik and friends Derrick and Maria, Born Truth, the entire Segar Family and Sheila who he called (niece) that he loved and cherished and whom the family would like to say thank you.