Frank Williams

Obituary To view the Live Broadcast of the Funeral Service for Mr. Williams pleas click link below. https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/frank-williams-funeral-services Mr. Frank Williams departed this earthly life for his heavenly reward on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Born in Sumter County on April 11, 1942, he was the only child of the late Harriett Williams Ricks and Ned Weathers. During Frank’s youth and young adult life, he attended Willow Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church faithfully with his mother and grandmother. This paved a solid religious foundation to serve his God. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County (High Hill and Ebenezer High School). His tenth-grade year was a volatile time with the death of his grandmother, Matilda James Williams, who raised him and the accidental fire that destroyed their family home forcing him to leave school and South Carolina. After the passing of his grandmother in 1958, Frank moved to Washington, DC seeking greater opportunities in life while living with his Aunt Sween Kendrick and her husband Vivian Kendrick. He obtained his GED years later. As he worked various jobs in the construction business, he learned many skills that helped him gain excellent employment in the Federal government more directly with the “Navy Public Works Center” at the Washington Navy Yard. There, with a long career after being hired as a carpenter apprentice and serving many successful years, he was promoted to “General Shop Foreman”. During his years in that position, he received many accolades in the form of awards, plaques, and certificates. He was well respected by his colleagues and peers. In 1961, Frank met Thomasina Hunter and the couple wedded in 1964. This union bore three sons and together they purchased their 1st home in 1972 shortly after the birth of their 3rd child. During Frank’s years in Washington, he attended Paramount Baptist Church, where his sons were baptized. After his retirement in November 2002, he moved back to South Carolina to a newly constructed home in Dalzell, SC. He and Thomasina re-joined Willow Grove A. M. E. Church, where he served dependably in many capacities. One of his major accomplishments with the church as a Trustee was overseeing the construction of the Willow Grove Fellowship Hall. His name is listed along with other Stewards and Trustees on a stone monument in front of the Fellowship Hall. As many of Frank’s generation, he also drove a taxicab to make ends meet. Through this occupation, he met many US Government dignitaries and celebrities-- most noteworthy boxing great “Smokin Joe” Frazier who graced his cab. Frank’s real passion was fishing and gardening which he did with equal vigor. He was a devoted husband and father who worked hard to provide for the family. In Frank remaining years he cared for his elderly sick mother and wife with great love and care. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his wife Thomasina Williams, and son Nathaniel Arness Williams. Frank leaves to cherish precious memories, a loving and devoted eldest son, Franklin Antonio Williams of Washington, DC; and youngest son, Kenneth Allen Williams, of Snellville, GA; his two granddaughters Kari Williams and Candyss Williams; six sisters and brothers-in-law: Alice Hamilton, Columbia, SC; Wilhelmina Miller, Dora B. (Donald) Palmer, Tommy (Susie) Miller, Charles D. (Christine) Miller Michael L. (Dr. Shirrie) Miller, all of Horatio, SC; a host of nieces, nephews; and other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Williams, please visit our floral store.

Frank Williams

April 11, 1942 - May 30, 2021

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