Kobe Jacob Eugene Williams

Kobe Jacob Eugene Williams, age 23, of Marshall, Michigan, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, with his parents at his side.

Kobe is survived by his parents, Ross and Connie Williams; a special second mom and nurse, Teresa Mynhier; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Ross Williams, twin sisters, Sarah and Jessica Trombley, and sister, Mindera C. “Mindy” Trombley Williams.

Kobe was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on December 23, 1999. Kobe lived to be 23 and bravely lived his life despite his severe limitations from being shaken and slammed by his abuser when he was just 28 days old. The reason? Kobe was crying. Treatment was delayed for up to 12 hours before he was taken for medical care. By then he was near death. His condition was so precarious that doctors thought it would be too risky to do surgery to drain the bleeding around his brain to relive the pressure and provided comfort measures only. Four weeks later when Kobe was defying all odds, Connie and Ross were called to be his foster parents. They came to the pediatric intensive care unit at Bronson Children’s Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to hold him and to give him the comfort of touch and love. They were immediately enamored, and Kobe came home with them two weeks later. His adoption was final when he was 15 months old, and he became part of their “forever family”. He was a loving child, who enjoyed music, tasting ice cream, being read to by his parents, and any trip outdoors. He especially enjoyed fishing trips with his father. Kobe was loved by many. He had a Facebook page with over 12,000 followers which educated followers about the dangers of shaking a baby and lifelong complications of inflicted child abuse.

Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, at the funeral home. Pastor Kris Tarkowicz will officiate the service. Private interment will take place in West Eckford Cemetery. The family requests that no flowers be given, but balloon arrangements are welcome. Please consider balloon arrangements from www.theballooneybin.com . If you wish to make an expression of sympathy, please consider the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, https://www.dontshake.org/ . Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave condolences to the family. For assistance with memorials, please visit the funeral home.