William Henry Tibbs IV, also known to others as “Tibbs, Brother, and Bill,” departed this life on December 9, 2020. Today, we will celebrate his life and loving spirit that will live in our hearts forever.
Bill was born February 25, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the oldest son of Troy and William H. Tibbs III, grandson of Dr. John Joe and Mathenia “Emma” Chandler, and great-grandson of John Henry and Mattie Coffey.
Bill attended Tulsa schools and Booker T. Washington High School and then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Building Construction in 1958. During his time there, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He then joined the United States Army Reserve where he served for six years, then received an honorable discharge in 1964. Years later, Bill enrolled in graduate school and received a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Western Connecticut State University in 1977.
Bill married Emma Marie Gaskins on July 4, 1957 and moved to Westchester County, New York in 1958. From this union, of 63 years, a son was born, William Henry Tibbs V. After arriving in New York, he became a carpenter and eventually started a construction business while building his family home. Once completed, Bill and Marie welcomed all from near and far throughout the years as they continuously sought to enhance their home with love and compassion. Bill and Marie always looked forward to family visits from their son and daughter-in-law, especially when their grandchildren, Celia and Will, were born.
Bill went on to teach at Alexander Hamilton High School for 20 years in Elmsford, New York and served as Assessor of the Village of Elmsford for two years. He also was elected Trustee for the Village of Elmsford and served in that position for six years. Bill continued to serve in local politics as Vice President of the Westchester County Elected Village Officials Association. He also served six years as Deputy Fire Commissioner of the Village of Elmsford. Bill was a Westchester County Democratic District leader for the 28th Election District for many years. He remained committed to his passion for construction by becoming the Assistant Building Inspector with the Town of Greenburgh, New York. In later years, Bill was an avid family historian and an important participant at the Alford family reunions.
Bill was a proud and dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He, among eleven other members, chartered the New Rochelle-White Plains Alumni Chapter on December 9, 1972. Over many years, he served in many capacities such as Chapter Chaplain, Dean of Pledges, and Chapter Advisor for the Iota Rho Chapter at Fordham University. Bill also served the chapter as Vice Polemarch, Polemarch, Member of the Board of Directors, and also Historian of the Northeastern Province. His dedication and commitment to the chapter and the province resulted in him being recognized as Historian Emeritus for the Northeastern Province. In 2010, Bill was awarded the James M. Kidd Distinguished Service Award which serves as the highest honor a member can achieve within the Northeastern Province. He proudly shared that the family was probably one of the largest within the fraternity at some point in time since his father, both brothers, son, grandson, uncles, nephews, and cousins all have been initiated over the years. As a life member, Bill dedicated himself in many ways as a respected and honorable brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Emma Marie Tibbs formerly of Elmsford, NY but currently lives in Kernersville, NC; son William Henry Tibbs V (Gloria) of Kernersville, NC; granddaughter Celia Marie Tibbs of NC; grandson William Henry Tibbs VI of NC; brothers John R. Tibbs (Dianne) of Peekskill, NY; Joe C. Tibbs (Ruth) of Owasso, Oklahoma; niece Barbara Evans of Elmsford, NY and a host of extended family, friends, and fraternity brothers.