To view the memorial service on Friday, January 22, 2021, at 12:30pmEST, please use the following link:

http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/45481

William "Bill" Randolph Kiah passed away on January 8, 2021 at the age of 71 in Boynton Beach, Florida. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Bill was born September 15, 1949 to Hamilton Gregory Kiah, Sr. and Laura Elizabeth (Peddrew) Kiah. He was the younger brother to his only sibling, Hamilton Gregory Kiah, Jr.

Bill attended elementary and middle school in Princess Anne County (now Virginia Beach), Virginia. He was among the first class of Black students to integrate the all-white Bayside High School in Virginia Beach where he graduated in 1968. After graduating, Bill enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1969 to 1971.

After service, Bill returned to his hometown and enrolled in Norfolk State University (NSU), graduating in 1975 with a BS in Business Administration/Marketing. While at NSU, Bill pledged the Pi Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in the spring of 1973 where his line name was a perfect description of his personality— "Wild Bill."  That name stuck with him well after his college days.  He was quite a jokester and his energy always made him the life of the party.

After graduation, Bill landed his first job as a Marketing Representative with the IBM Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. He later used his business/marketing skills to advance in positions within Digital Equipment Corporation and Xerox Corporation before becoming an entrepreneur.

In 1980, Bill married Sandra Walden of Suffolk, Virginia. Bill and Sandra made Cincinnati, Ohio their home where they raised their children. Bill became the Real Estate Developer/Manager for Kiah Properties, a business he and his wife owned for over 10 years. They were members of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Glendale, Ohio. Bill had a beautiful singing voice and sang in several choirs where he frequently had solos: the Inspirational Choir, the Mass Choir and the Male Chorus. Although they later divorced, Bill and Sandra remained friends.

Bill had a charming personality and could make friends easily. He also had a helping spirit, always willing to help someone whenever he could. His love of history led him to travel to several West African countries in the 1980's, including Mali where he researched his roots and the origin of the Kiah family name. He was a skillful writer, and in 2001 he published his own book, The President and The Queen .

Having grown up in Virginia Beach, Bill developed a love for the water and enjoyed going to the beach where he would fish and crab as often as he could. As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed gardening and any work or activities that afforded him to be outside.

In 2007, Bill moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Boynton Beach, Florida.  At the time of his death, he was continually adding to his collection of writings while enjoying life in Florida and working part-time as a concierge at The Carlisle Palm Beach, in Palm Beach, Florida.

William was predeceased by his beloved parents, Hamilton Gregory Kiah, Sr. and Laura Elizabeth (Peddrew) Kiah. He leaves behind to cherish his memory one brother, H. Gregory Kiah, Jr. (Linda); two sons, Antonio Riddick of Virginia and McQuay John Kiah (Liliana) of Florida; his former wife, Sandra Walden Kiah and their daughters, Sarah Kiah Morton (Ronald) of Maryland, Laura Kiah Dennis (Marquis) of Maryland and Stephanie Kiah Jolley (Noble) of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren, Hunter Hoskins, Siobhan Kiah, Ivory Kiah, McQuay Morton, Kyler Morton, Lennox Morton, Micah Dennis, Layla Dennis and Mathieu Dennis; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.