Wanda Irene Price's Obituary
Wanda Irene Price, 74, passed suddenly on March 2, 2025, of natural causes, after a lengthy battle with health issues she hid from the world.
Wanda was born on February 28, 1951, to Alvin and Hazel Williams in Tampa, FL, on their ninth wedding anniversary – something she proudly told everyone who asked about her birth date. Living by rules only she knew and wanting to do things according to her own schedule, Wanda married during the Spring Break of her senior year in high school, completed cosmetology school shortly after she graduated high school in 1969, then went on to be a full-time wife and mother. She developed a love of traveling while being an Air Force wife and later – after she divorced and turned her love of socializing into a long banking career, from which she retired twice – spent as much time as she could traveling and embracing life. Throughout it all, Wanda lived her life to the fullest, on her own terms.
Wanda loved every part of nature, taking every opportunity to be outdoors and basking in the sunlight, even if it was just reading a magazine at a park or lying in a backyard lounger. She loved the beach almost as much as she loved the mountains of North Carolina, where she lived for a year before health issues returned her to Florida. She had a bold personality and no shortage of free spirit, which was balanced with her big heart and kind nature. With a wacky sense of humor and an infectious laugh, Wanda had a way with people, could go from strangers to friends in a matter of moments, and was always the life of the party – even if she hadn’t been invited to it or there wasn’t actually a party happening. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
Wanda joins her parents, Alvin and Hazel Williams, and her dogs, Chaka Kahn and Atom, in Heaven. She is survived by her sister, Cinny, and her daughter; her sister, Pam, and her family; her daughter, Michele, and her family; and her son, Douglas, and his son. She also leaves behind a full circle of friends, who will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lowry Park, 7525 North Blvd in Tampa, at pavilion 117, on March 22, 2025. Family members will be there between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. In keeping with the spirit of Wanda and honoring her wishes that “no one sit around crying” over her passing, this will not be a formal event. This will be a celebration of the wonder that was Wanda. Friends who are able to attend are invited to stop by, pay respects, share a memory, and maybe leave with a balloon. Friends who are not able to attend are invited to do the same virtually – minus the balloon – with full understanding from the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that Wanda’s request for donations in her name be honored at one of the following charities:
- Heifer International - https://www.heifer.org/give/one-time.html
- One Tree Planted - https://onetreeplanted.org/products/gift-trees-in-memory
- Earth Island - https://donate.earthisland.org/page/21472/donate/1
- PetSmart Charities - https://secure.petsmartcharities.org/campaign/598169/donate
What’s your fondest memory of Wanda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wanda?
Share a story where Wanda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wanda you’ll never forget.
How did Wanda make you smile?