William Randolph Mason

William Randolph (Randy/Bill), Mason age 68 passed away on Friday April 18, 2020 surrounded by his adoring family. He was born in Philadelphia, PA and lived in Abington PA. Always displaying mental giftedness, he graduated from Central High School at the age of 16. He earned his first degree in Architecture from Temple University. As a student at Temple, Randy studied Shotokan Karate with world renowned Master Teruyuki Okazaki (who studied under the founder of Shotokan in Japan), and earned a brown belt. In 2019, Randy was honored by Temple University as one of the co-founders of what later became their Department of Africology and African American Studies. It was his seminal work in Temple’s Black Students League and the Steering Committee for Black Students that lead to the development of this department. His second degree from The University of Maryland was in Computer Science. He worked at Verizon for 29 years as a Computer Programmer. He loved and was loved immensely by his family. He was a kind, generous, HONEST, humble, caring, faithful and doting husband, father, son and grandfather, He enjoyed all kinds of music and created songs as a hobby. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles, and would say, “As long as they did it one time, that’s all I need”. Randy was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in June 2018 which he fought gallantly. He is survived by his wife Thembeka C. Mason, parents Willie and Mary Mason, brother Norman (Alfreda) Mason, sister Norma (Clive) Latham, sons Chike (Pam) Mason and Obi, daughters Sdu Mkhize and Khanya (Justin Shaw) Mkhize, grandchildren Amari Akil, Anaya Kweli, Refentse Gabriela, Zenzile Moon and Senzo Lee. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and his Godmother Martha McKoy, who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by a son Menzi Mkhize. Randy, thank you for your unconditional love. We will always carry your memory in our hearts. Siyabonga ngothando osinikeze lona. Lala kahle uphumule ngokuthula. Special thanks to staff at Abington Plaza Medical Associates, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Abington and Jefferson Health Home Care. Services are private and at the convenience of the family. Condolences may be made at: www.meyersfh.com