William "Billy" J. Anderson, III - Obituary

f you knew William J. Anderson III, known as “Billy”, the first thing you probably remember is his smile. It was big, genuine, and impossible to ignore. He always said, “It takes a village,” and anyone who knew him knows he meant it—because he built that village everywhere he went. Sadly, Billy passed away peacefully at home on January 9, 2026, surrounded by those he loved - his family. Billy was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on August 11, 1965, to Doris Louise and William J. Anderson Jr. His sister, Mary likes to remind us that he was “the biggest baby in the NICU.” Though he reached 6’4”, Billy never outgrew his place as the baby brother to Frederick Nugent Jr. and Mary Saadeh. Billy was the life of the party. He had this quick wit, an easy laugh, and a way of making everyone feel included—like you belonged, no matter who you were. He didn’t need a spotlight; he was the spotlight. Ordinary moments somehow turned into great memories when Billy was there. When the family moved to Edgewater, Billy started school at Edgewater Elementary, and life moved along—until everything changed when he was just 16 years old. A tragic accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. But if you knew Billy, you know that didn’t stop him. Not even close. As a quadriplegic, he fought the good fight every single day and never let his injury define what he could do or who he could be. Billy wanted to conquer the world—and in his own way, he did. He graduated from South River High School in 1983, thanks to the dedication of his beloved guidance counselor, the late Sharon Fulton, who became more like family to him. Billy went on to take college courses and studied bookkeeping at MD Vocational Tech in Baltimore, eventually helping manage the books for his sister and brother-in-law’s business. Billy loved his sports—he was a true superfan of the Washington Commanders, Wizards, Capitals, and the Maryland Terps. And if there was sun involved, Billy was happy. Ever since he was a kid, family vacations were always spent in Ocean City, where he soaked up every sun ray. He loved music festivals, concerts, trying new restaurants, cheering on his kids at their games, and yes—he was a foodie, especially when it came to cookouts and crab feasts. Every adventure was planned with one goal in mind: fun in the sun with family. Billy was the kind of husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend people naturally gravitated toward. He filled rooms with laughter and stories, and he made you feel good just being around him. But more than anything, Billy was a devoted husband and an incredible father. He truly adored his wife, Kelly. You could see it in the way he supported her and the life they built together over 31 years. And his kids—Jordan and Collin—were his absolute pride and joy. He loved them fiercely, cheered them on endlessly, and was always there for them. To them, he wasn’t just Dad—he was their protector, their teacher, and their biggest fan. Billy leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Kelly; his children, Jordan William and Collin Robert; his sister Mary Saadeh (John); his brother, Frederick Nugent Jr. (Kathy); his nieces and nephews, Stacey Saadeh Smith (Greg), Susie Nugent, Jeremy Saadeh, Julianne Saadeh, Frederick Nugent III (Suzanne), Isabella, Jackson, Mason and Ayden; his great-nieces and nephew, Evelyn, Vivienne and Cash William and his extended family and in laws; Kathy Alarie, Kevin Alarie (Shelly) and Sarah Thomas (Derek) — all of whom will carry forward his stories, his traditions, and his deep love for family. We will miss Billy more than words can say. But we are so grateful for the time we had with him—the laughs we shared, the memories we made, and the love he gave so freely. His legacy lives on in his children, in his family, and in all of us who were lucky enough to know him. Billy may no longer be with us, but his spirit is everywhere—in the jokes we still tell, the stories we’ll never stop sharing, and in the way we try to live a little more fully because of him. Today, and forever, Billy walks free. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life that will take place on May 17, 2026, from 5-8pm at the Selby Community Center. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make a donation in Billy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.