Arthur Williams, Sr.

Deacon Arthur Williams, Sr. passed away on January 19, 2015 after a lengthy illness at the age of 87 years. He was born April 16, 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama to Isaih and Emma Williams, who preceded him in death. Deacon Williams was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. He moved to Saginaw, MI in 1951. He was one of the founding and lifelong members of Prince of Peace Baptist Church in Saginaw, MI, starting under the leadership of Rev. K.M. Merkerson. He was later ordained as a Deacon of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church and actively served as an instructor for the Sunday School and Laymen. Later, under the leadership of Pastor Robert B. Corley, Jr., he actively served on the Board of Deacons. Deacon Williams was employed and retired from the General Motors Grey Iron Metal Casting Plant, where he served as a Committee Man, and was a member of UAW Local 668. One of his greatest enjoyments was sports, especially baseball. He used to practice with the great Willie Mays. He participated in the Golden Gloves Boxing competitions in Chicago, IL, later moving on to win an undefeated championship in Saginaw, MI. He enjoyed people and anyone that came into his space. Everyone was known as “Stick”, which he said meant, “Stick Together”. Deacon Williams married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Lula Mae (Sams) Williams, who preceded him in death but left him to cherish seven sons: Ezzard C. Williams, Darnell L. Williams, Arthur (Irene) Williams, Jr. of Lawrenceville, GA, Esper (Jacklyn) Williams, Rundy L. (Debra Jones) Williams, Warren E. (Sharon) Williams and Tyrane (Pearline) Williams, all of Grand Rapids, MI. His second wife of 38 years, Willie Louise (Lake) Williams, also preceded him in death but left him to cherish five stepchildren: Georgel L. Wilson, Lathan L. (Kimberly) Wilson, Jerome (Regina) Wilson, Lucille (Austin) Hicks and Brenda K. (Charlie L.) Wilson-Dillard, all of Saginaw, MI. Deacon Williams leaves behind one brother, Napoleon Williams, Sr.; and two nieces that he and his siblings have raised, Cathaline “Bitty” Williams and Catherine “Fat” Williams. He was blessed to have 17 grandchildren, Sonia Payne, Stacey Conway-Pritchett, Twana Williams, Darnell Williams, Jr., Arthur Williams III, Adrain Williams, Warren Williams, Jason Vaughn, TaMeshia Vaughn, Marcell Williams, Sharonda Williams, LeKeyshia Williams, Michel-le Williams, Rundy Jr., Esper Jr., Yvonne Smithand Jasmine Smith; 22 step-grandchildren, Jawhan Hardy, whom he raised, Tasima L. Johnson, Tanya L. Wilson, Tequila Halloway-Cornelious, Shalon Wilson, Bobby, Benny, David and Curtis Harrell, Janice Harrell-Merriweather, Tarnisha Jackson, Johni Allen, Fashonta Coleman, Kenny Brown, Jr., DeAngelo Trice, Marcel L. Wilson, Kemothe J. Green, Jericia Wilson, Austin Orange, Kori J. Wilson and Katlyn Williams; a host of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a very dear niece and two nephews, Loretta King, Clarence (Louise) Williams and Raymond Hicks. Deacon Williams also leaves behind, a dear daughter-in-law, Linda Lambert; five sisters-in-law, Doris Sams of Birmingham, AL, Jeanette Sams and Peoria Sams of Chicago, IL, Josephine Neal and Janie Ferguson of Saginaw, MI; one brother-in-law, David Lake of Chicago, IL; very dear neighbors and friends, Abbey (Sophia) Guzman, Carlos (Gloria) Garcia, and Milton Gates of Grand Rapids, MI; and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Williams and Darnell L. Williams; one grandchild, Twana Williams; siblings, Rose Mae Williams, Lloyd Williams, Bernice Williams, Esper Williams, Zettie Belle Williams, Catherine Williams, Isaiah Williams, Jr. and Luther Williams, his twin brother; many aunts and uncles; one son-in-law; 11 sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 at Prince of Peace Baptist Church, 725 North 24th Street. Pastor R.B. Corley, Jr. will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m., where the family will be present for a family hour from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Arthur Williams, Sr.

April 16, 1927 - January 19, 2015