Deacon Eddie Bernard Williams was born to Ophelia Kennedy and Calvin Williams, in Sawyerville, Alabama. He was an only child that embraced life with eagerness and hope. He often talked about his grandfather in Bessemer, Alabama with great pride and humbleness. He spoke as to how hard his grandfather worked and the richness of his values and ethics.
After graduating from high school and a number of jobs, Eddie met and married the love of his life, Annie Long. They were married on February 25, 1955. Prior to their marriage Eddie, had enlisted in the United States Army, awaiting deployment. With great dismay, several days thereafter, the Army issued his deployment orders.
While in the Army he served an illustrious career of twenty-eight years; that culminated in achieving a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam and achieving the rank of Sergeant Major when he retired.
Deacon Williams was a great man of faith. At an early age, he accepted Christ into his life. He was an ordained deacon and he truly worked as a servant of God and His people. He was a member of a number of male choirs and was a devoted Sunday school teacher. Often when he thought Sunday School, he and his wife would be the only participants, however, he taught as if there were hundreds in attendance.
In 2012, Deacon Williams and his wife Annie joined in fellowship with New Beech Grove Baptist Church, where they faithfully attended and served. Eddie and his wife previous were devoted members of Colossian Baptist Church and True Vine Baptist Church respectively.
Eddie loved his family and often talked about them with great pride and admiration. He and his wife would often travel to a number of family reunions and gatherings.
He leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter, Yvonne-Bey; godson, Jamar R. Melvin; and a number of other family members and friends.
A service to celebrate Deacon William’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2022, at New Beech Grove Baptist Church. Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment with full military honors to follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens. Deacon William’s may be viewed on Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
