BOSE

WILLIAM LASHAE

William LaShae Bose, 45, passed away at his home in Carnegie, PA after a brave and unrelenting fight against colon cancer - a battle he met with the same determination, strength and love that defined his entire life. William, known as BJ to family, never stopped fighting. Even in the hardest moments, he poured out love to everyone around him, reminding his family and friends what true strength looks like.

William was a devoted father to his 11‑year‑old son, Robbie, who was the light of his life. Robbie was named for William's grandfather, the late Robert Vernon Philyaw, who had a profound impact on his life. William shared a strong bond of co‑parenting with Robbie's mother, Catey, and he was also deeply committed to their beautiful twin daughters, Paris and London, of whom he was supremely proud. He is survived by his loving mother, Gwendolyn Y. Philyaw, and his brother, Amiri Herring, with whom he shared a close bond. He also leaves behind his grandmother, Gwen M. Philyaw; his aunts and uncles, Jacqueline Hoskins, Noreen Clark, Vernon Philyaw, and Michael Philyaw, and first cousins Jamil and Jarrett Baker and Rob Philyaw, and a large, close-knit family that shaped him and was shaped by him.

A graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, William went on to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he nurtured the creative gifts that had been evident since childhood. He loved music and embraced those talents as a rapper. To many, he was known only as KuStom Karboso, rapping on the struggles young men face. He performed mostly in the northeast, but all over the country as well. He had many talents, but graphic design was his heartbeat. William was a creator in every sense of the word - an artist who pushed boundaries, experimented boldly, and produced work that made you stop, look, and feel something. He was always refining his craft, always dreaming bigger, always chasing the next idea or breakthrough.

Even during his illness, William continued to create. He founded Cancer Contenders, a cancer‑advocacy initiative borne of his own fight and fueled by his desire to help others facing similar battles. His family plans to carry on this mission in his honor, and friends and supporters can join the Cancer Contenders community on Facebook to continue the work he started.

Though his earthly journey has ended, William's spirit remains vibrantly alive in everyone he touched. His children carry his love and laughter. His brother and cousins carry his strength and resilience, and we all carry the unshakeable truth that love does not end - it transforms.

In accordance with William's wishes, a private cremation will be held, and the arrangements are entrusted to VLADIMIR S. CORBA FUNERAL HOME in Carnegie, PA. Please feel free to leave your thoughts on their website. There will be a Celebration of Life in July at Topsail Island, NC, William's favorite vacation destination.

In our grief, we feel his loss has cheated the world, but we take comfort in knowing William is now free from pain, held in God's eternal embrace, and surrounded by the ancestors who welcomed him home. His light continues to guide us; his art continues to inspire us. May his soul rest in everlasting peace, and may we honor him by living with the same boldness, strength, compassion, and creativity that he shared so freely with the world.

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