W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Thorse Wayne Williams, 73, of Louisville transitioned on October 18, 2026, after a brief illness.

A Time of Remembrance 11:00am - 11:30am Saturday, November 7, 2026. Memorial Service to follow at 11:30am at W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road.

Thorse was born on July 28, 1953, in Finchville, Kentucky. Thorse was the son of the late Samuel and Anna Williams. Preceding Thorse in death were his siblings Shelia Williams, Barry Williams, Larry Williams, William Williams; his father and mother in-law Alexander and Nora Ferguson and his two brothers-in-law, Larry Garrett and Max Thomas.

Thorse studied at Kentucky State University where he was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He devoted more than four decades to the field of Information Technology, where he assembled the team that developed the original Vine program which notified victims of crime that their offender would be released.

Thorse possessed a lifelong passion for learning. He deeply immersed himself in reading about history and politics - not for entertainment but for his own enlightenment. His favorite authors were Thomas Sowell and Langston Hughes. Thorse enjoyed tutoring students in math and working with the Black Achievers Program and cub scouts where he was particularly engaged and spent many hours working with his nephew, Collin, assembling his car for the Pinewood Derby.

Left to carry his memory forward is his wife of 41 years, best friend and confidante, Charlene Ferguson Williams; Sisters-in-law Rosalind Dean Greene, Cathy Ferguson Thomas, Coliss Ann Ferguson, Cindy Mayre Garrett, June Denise Williams, and Kelly Williams; his nephews and nieces, Marvin Thomas, Alexandra Chew (Wellington), Elgin Garrett (Allison), Deana Thomas, Collin Garrett (Asiah), Sheila Williams, Kolisha Thomas, Konisha Thomas, Carnerick Thomas, Carmesha Thomas; his great nephews and nieces, Sterling Garrett, Chance Thomas, Rihanna Dunbar, Camaya Davis, and Shauntrel Wakefield; his uncles Harvey Brown and Bill Claxton, and his longtime friend, Carletta Bell as well as additional family and friends, including the “Derby Group”.

Thorse will be remembered as a man of deep conviction and a gentle spirit and his absence will leave a void that can never be filled.