Willie Louis Williams, Sr.

LIFE REFLECTIONS

His Master replied. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23 NIV

Willie Louis Williams Sr. was born on June 16, 1956 to the late Charlie “Bill” Williams and Ollie (nee: Vester) Williams in Lafayette County, Mississippi. He earned his heavenly wings on Monday, June 14, 2021.

In 1974, he graduated from Oxford High School. In search of his purpose, Willie moved around, living in Florida and California. He eventually moved to Milwaukee, WI where he worked at Briggs & Stratton from 1979 – 1994. Also, while in Milwaukee, he enrolled in and completed classes in Tool and Die Making at Waukesha County Technical Institute. In 1994, he returned to Oxford, Mississippi, where he worked as a painter. Willie made a bold move in 1998, when he trusted God, walked in the steps that God ordered, and started his own business, Premier Painting. Willie took pride in his work and made certain that his crew operated in excellence! He believed in legacy, with that, his sons, Willie Jr and Joshua, spent their summers with him in Oxford, learning his craft. Willie frequently asked, “Did you ever think I’d be able to do this?” God had a plan for his life, which is something that he later realized.

Willie accepted the Lord at an early age. However, after his near death experience, his relationship with the Lord took on new meaning, resulting in a transformation. “Search me,      O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)   Willie was a devoted and faithful member of Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church.

Willie enjoyed seeing the finished product of projects that he and his crew worked on. Under his leadership, Premier Painting developed a noteworthy reputation in Oxford!  As many know, he had the “gift of gab,” he enjoyed talking about politics, watching CNN and gospel channels, but his most enjoyable times were talking about the Lord. His gift made room for him, as he wasn’t ashamed of the gospel, sharing his testimony with whomever he came in contact with. God knew who He could trust to spread the gospel!

On July 2, 1983, Willie married Sharon D. (nee: Douglas) Williams, Milwaukee, WI. Their bond remained strong throughout! Willie is lovingly remembered by his sons, Willie L. (Nghia) Williams, Jr., Milwaukee, WI and Joshua A. Williams, Phoenix, Arizona, and one grandson, Naseem Raymond Lee Williams, goddaughter, Raquel (ReGinal) Johnson, Nashville, TN, sisters, Ora Lee Patten (mother of Robert Randall (Zennet) Patten, Flint, MI and Annie Lou Stewart (mother of Kateana, Steve, and Felicia), Oxford, MS, brothers, James E. Williams (father of Jeanette and Connie), Sacramento, CA, Floyd (Shirley) Williams (parents of Michael and Allan), Manassas, VA, Jessie (Brenda) Williams (parents of Brandon and Lateea), Oxford, MS, Alvin (Deborah) Williams, (father of Jennie, Candice, Brittney, and Christopher) Norfolk, VA, and Thomas Earl Williams, Oxford, MS, a host of great nieces/nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents and the following siblings, Lillie Bonds and Dorothy Wells (husband, Linzie Wells and daughters, Mickey, Denise, and Linda), M.C. Williams, Charles Williams (wife, Christine Williams and sons, Charles and Johnny), Selma Williams (sons, Henry and James Earl), Sam Williams (Mary Williams, daughter, Renee and sons, Corey, David Earl), Joe Williams (wife, Mary Steen Williams, daughters, Linda, Marie, Rebecca and sons, Stanley and William).