William Seymour Trotman

William Seymour Trotman of Riverhead, known as “Shorty,” died Feb. 19 at the age of 81.

He was born in New York Feb. 28, 1929, to Alice and Seymour Trotman, and moved at a young age to Virginia, where he graduated from high school. He later then returned to New York and worked for many years at Patella Construction with his brother, Eddie.

According to family, he enjoyed watching news and sports on television and loved listening to jazz and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He devotedly played his “numbers” every week at Off-Track Betting in New York City, they said, and would frequently call his niece to say his favorite line: “I think it’s going to come out up there.” Family members also said he was a much-loved patron at Spicy’s Barbecue Restaurant in Riverhead, where he ate every other day and relished the chicken.

Mr. Trotman is survived by his sons, Ronald, Albert, Bobby, Darryl and Lil’ Willie; his daughters, Mary Jane, Alice, Robin, Tina and Carmen; his stepdaughter, Florence “Denise” Ratteray; 27 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his sons William and Scottie and his brother, Eddie.

The family held a celebration of his life Feb. 25 at Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead. Cremation was private.