William Bural Dudley

William Bural Dudley, affectionately known as Dad, Pop Pop, and Mr. Will, was born on November 6, 1959, in Gadsden, Alabama, to the late Lula (Pearl) Nesbeth and Frank Jones, both of Gadsden, Alabama. William was a long-time resident of the city of Harrisburg. He relocated to Pennsylvania as a teenager, where he received his formal education in the Lancaster School District and attended McCaskey High School, excelling in basketball and football. William was a great storyteller and could always be found making people laugh wherever he went. Meeting and making new acquaintances came naturally to him. William loved watching western movies and listening to music. You could often hear him blasting James Brown from his truck as he traveled here and there. Mr. Will was loved by all who knew him, and he was, most importantly, a family man. He enjoyed spending time with his wife and grandchildren, shopping, going on road trips, and having family game nights. He was a hard worker and held several jobs throughout his life, including helping his daughter and the pastor at their childcare centers, doing odds and ends, and contributing wherever needed. William also started his own lawn care business, building a sizeable clientele throughout the community. He later retired from Geodis Logistics in 2023. William was a member of New Life Christian Church in Harrisburg, PA, under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Jayson Davenport. William’s life was a testament that it’s never too late to turn things around. On Friday, April 10, 2026, William departed this life with his family by his side. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Edwards, and his grandson, Dashawn Smith. He leaves to honor and cherish his life his wife, Gertude (Sharlene) Banner-Dudley, whom he loved dearly to the very end; his children, Keshia Smith, Juanita Boswell-Dudley Palmer, Latrisha Dudley, William Dudley, Joshua Dudley, Trinten Dudley, and Kaitlyn Dudley, all of Harrisburg PA; his stepchildren, Jimelle Vasquez, Austin Brown, Kevin Brown, Shamar Tablada, Alrick Vasquez, and Shatefa Garbutt of Camalote, Belize; his godsons, Deanell Boswell and Jeremia Ramsey of Harrisburg PA; his siblings, Harry White and Cory Dudley, both of Gadsden, Alabama, Donna Brown Garland of Inkster, Michigan, Belinda Pointer of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Vanessa Crowder and Vanniecia Brown, both of O’Fallen, Illinois, and Felicia Gibson, Curtis Wilson, Mark Edwards, Wendell Edwards, Derek Edwards, Tracey Edwards, and Franke Edwards, all of Cleveland, Ohio. As well as a host of other relatives and friends. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK ON THE SHARE A MEMORY TAB TO POST VIDEOS, SHARE MEMORIES, CONDOLENCES, REFLECTIONS OR SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR NAME. Flower delivery, 8:30 a.m., Saturday, April 18, at WFD.

Tributes

William Bural Dudley

November 6, 1959 - April 10, 2026