Corey E. Williams

Corey had an innate self-starter nature, with a unique mixture of being competitive, methodical  and playful. He earned an academic scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and participated in Greek Life. He loved serving two years as the Social Chair for his fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Early into his junior year of college, Corey was diagnosed with a mental illness that disrupted his academic pursuits. After a year away from school, he tenaciously resumed coursework and graduated from UNL in August 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. He worked in logistics, transportation, and financial services throughout his career.

Corey showed a great deal of courage and fortitude as he navigated the challenges of living with a mental illness that gradually diminished his inherently cheerful demeanor. In the past year he found refuge in creating a space to paint large canvases, and began to cultivate an emerging talent for expressing himself through abstract art. In a final expression of autonomy, Corey ended his life to free himself from the alienation he felt so deeply.

Corey is fondly remembered for his offbeat sense of humor, honesty, incredible patience in driving and super-tiny handwriting. Corey fostered his passions for art, music, clothes, working out (to offset his snacking habit) and crafting a quality cocktail. He could spend hours getting lost in the creation of a painting, most likely with his favorite artist Frank Ocean playing in the background.

Spending time with family and friends or being in the Colorado mountains to hike or fish was his other happy place. Family members include his mother, Valerie; sister, Tristen; brother, Naman; many extended family members and countless friends, loved by all. Corey is preceded in death by three grandparents, a maternal uncle and a beloved great uncle who taught him all about fishing and adventuring in general.

To celebrate Corey’s life, a casual gathering with light refreshments will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. at The Urban Farmhouse located at 3900 Yankee Hill Rd, Suite #127, Lincoln, NE

In lieu of flowers, memorials to family for future designation.