Atlantic City's iconic barber was sent off with laughter through tears Friday.
William Carter Lea, known to all as "Sonny," died Oct. 15, in a car crash in Winslow Township. It is still under investigation.
Lea, 83, was remembered as a man of humility and humor.
"He was probably a walking angel," said Mayor Frank Gilliam, who credited Lea with him becoming the leader he is today.
"He went and served his country but, more importantly, he served as a father to many of us," he said, as his voice cracked with emotion. "Watching out for those who could not watch out for themselves. I found love in this man and for that I'm forever grateful to his family."
Son-in-law and former Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford said he was lucky not only to find a good woman in his wife, Nynell, but a good family that included Lea, who was not just like a father, but a best friend.
He remembered Lea walking in "with his fitted hat, tags still hanging like th eyoung boys do. His Jordan's with the tags still hanging like the young boys do."
"He was social media before social media," said Minister Joseph Muhammad. "He was hashtag KY and the curb."
Mere words could describe the leader and mentor he was, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said in a letter read by his spokeswoman, Donna Weaver.
Weaver also shared her own stories about Lea, who she said helped her properly cover the city's black community and its history as a reporter at The Press of Atlantic City.
"I turned to Sonny for insight and for the real history of the Atlantic City community," she said, talking of the "vault of relics and memorabilia" he revealed to her at his barbershop.
That barbershop will also remain, Gilliam promised.
"As long as there's breath in my lungs, that barbershop will not be touched unless the family wants it to be touched," he said.
And, on Nov. 7, City Council plans to go a step further, said Council President Marty Small.
A resolution will rename that corner "Sonny's Barbershop Drive."
Small had Lea as a mentor while growing up playing basketball.
Fittingly, the funeral was held as "center court" in Boardwalk Hall with a hoop on either side and a circle of orange and black flowers to represent the top of a basketball.
Councilman Aaron "Sporty" Randolph said he would honor Lea by taking his lead.
"I'm going to try to practice humility," he said. "Doing something for someone and not say anything."
