What an extraordinary heart—and an even more extraordinary mission.

Yuri Williams has dedicated his life to bringing joy to children who need it most. Traveling across the country in full superhero costumes, he steps into hospital rooms not just as Spider-Man, Deadpool, or other beloved characters, but as a beacon of hope for sick children and their families. His goal is simple yet profound: to make someone’s darkest day a little brighter. (Source: Hawaii News Now)

Williams’ superhero journey began not in triumph, but in grief. After losing his mother to cancer in 2009, he spent years struggling to cope with the overwhelming absence she left behind. “There’s something I need to do to get rid of this sadness that I have,” he told Hawaii News Now. Out of that heartbreak came clarity—he would turn his pain into purpose by serving others who were suffering. (Source: People Magazine)

A full-time youth correctional officer, Williams channeled his compassion for young people into a new calling. Drawing inspiration from his love of comic book heroes, he began dressing up as Spider-Man and visiting children battling illness, cancer, or long hospital stays. What started with small local visits quickly grew into a movement. Soon, the community no longer recognized him as Yuri—they knew him simply as “Spidey.” (Source: Los Angeles Times)

“They don’t even call me by my real name anymore—it’s just Spidey or Spider-Man,” Williams shared. The nickname wasn’t just affectionate; it reflected how deeply his presence had come to matter to the families he met.

Williams says his mission is about offering light in moments filled with fear and uncertainty. “I just tell them to fight as hard as you can. Don’t give up,” he said. “They’re dealing with so much pain and medication… I just want to come in and uplift them for the couple of moments that I’m there.” (Source: Hawaii News Now)

Children aren’t the only ones he reaches. Families, nurses, and hospital staff often find themselves uplifted too—proof that hope is contagious when delivered with sincerity.

Last year, Williams expanded his mission even further by setting out to visit every state in the country. He completed his nationwide journey with visits to Alaska and Hawaii, marking all 50 states. The project was carried out through his nonprofit, A Future Superhero and Friends, which provides compassionate support and services for homeless veterans, families in crisis, disabled individuals, and medically vulnerable children. (Source: CNN Heroes)

For Williams, the work is healing. His superhero identity not only brings comfort to others—it gives him purpose and direction. “I don’t know where I would be right now if it wasn’t for Spider-Man,” he admitted. The costumes allow him to channel grief into something transformative, turning personal pain into communal love.

One day, he hopes to devote himself full-time to the organization, believing wholeheartedly that his calling is to serve. “I’m not asking for anything but just to uplift people—that’s it,” he said. (Source: People Magazine)

And uplift he does. Yuri Williams is the kind of hero the world needs—one who doesn’t rely on superpowers, just compassion, courage, and an unwavering desire to make others feel seen, supported, and loved.