February 09, (THEWILL) — Thomas Williams, the father of American television personality Wendy Williams, has died at the age of 94.
The news was announced on Sunday, February 8, by journalist Alex Finnie, Wendy’s niece. The cause of death has not been made public.
Finnie shared the announcement in an Instagram tribute alongside family photos of her grandfather.
“I’ll be loving you always,” Finnie wrote.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that I share — after 94 years of extraordinary love, strength, brilliance, and wisdom, my grandfather Thomas D. Williams has passed.” She added
She described Thomas Williams as “a man of great intellect — an author, educator, and keeper of historical facts,” adding that he devoted his life to both his family and his community.
Thomas was married to Shirley Williams, who died in 2020 at the age of 85.
Wendy confirmed her mother’s death at the time, saying she passed “beautifully and peacefully” while surrounded by love.
Wendy, 61, was last seen with her father in Miami in February 2025 during his 94th birthday celebration. At the time, she said she was unsure if she would be allowed to travel due to her court-ordered guardianship.
The guardianship places Wendy under a legal arrangement in which a third party controls her financial, medical, and personal affairs.
It began in early 2022, after her bank account was frozen following claims that she was an “incapacitated person” and a victim of financial exploitation and undue influence.
Wendy has denied the claims and continues to fight to end the guardianship
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
