HR200INTRODUCED
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HR200
11VC2ZL-1
By Representatives Jackson, Bracy
RFD:
First Read: 03-Apr-25
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5 11VC2ZL-1 04/03/2025 evp (L)evp 2025-1483
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First Read: 03-Apr-25
HR____ MOURNING THE DEATH AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DEACON
WILLIE FRANK WILLIAMS.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
death of Deacon Willie Frank Williams of Winn, Alabama, on
March 30, 2025, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, his departure leaves a void in the lives of
his loving family, many friends, and the community where he
was highly regarded; and
WHEREAS, Willie Frank Williams was the youngest
sibling born to Genoa Hannon Williams and Isaac Lewis
Williams on April 1, 1941, in Winn; both of his parents were
educators in the one-room school house, and he subsequently
began his formal education at the age of three; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams accepted Christ at an early
age and was a lifelong faithful and dedicated member of
Bethlehem Baptist Church in Winn; he served in various
capacities, including Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent,
Sunday School Teacher, and Clerk; he was also a member of
the Bethlehem Lodge #139, which later merged with the
Jackson Masonic Lodge #866; he served his community as a
member of the boards of the Clarke County Department of
Human Resources and the Clarke Washington Electric
Membership Corporation; and he was a member of the Clarke
County Democratic Executive Committee; and
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County Democratic Executive Committee; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams followed in his parents'
footsteps and became an educator; he received a Bachelor of
Science Degree from Alabama State University; he began his
career as a classroom teacher at the age of 19 at Wilson
Hall Middle School in Grove Hill, Alabama; he completed his
Master of Education Degree from the University of West
Alabama, then Livingston University, and his Education
Specialist Degree from The University of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, affectionately known by his students as
"Chief," Deacon Williams spent his entire career as an
educator in Grove Hill, advancing to the role of Supervisor
and retiring as the first Black Assistant Superintendent of
Education for the Clarke County Board of Education in May
2005 after 44 years of service; he was featured in a Brown
v. Board of Education lecture given by Vanderbilt University
Professor, Dr. H. Richard Milner, because he was one of a
few teachers still living who had taught in both segregated
and desegregated schools; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams was preceded in death by his
sister, Helen Ruth Baldwin; brother, Daniel Tyler Williams;
nephew, Morris Lee Baldwin; and nieces, Quindra Williams-Law
and Beverly Ann Baldwin-Law; he will be lovingly remembered
by his devoted wife of 61 years, Verna Scruggs Williams;
daughters, Valerie Bonita Creagh (Alphonse), Sandra Valencia
Spence (Darrin), and Dr. Sheneka Maria Williams; grandchild,
JaMarlin DeNario Williams (Melissa); brother, Isaac Othello
Williams; and a host of in-laws, other relatives, and close
friends; and
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friends; and
WHEREAS, although his presence will be greatly
missed, the memory of Deacon Williams will be cherished in
the hearts of all who knew and loved him; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the death of Deacon Willie
Frank Williams is recorded with deep sadness, and this
resolution is offered to his family in tribute to his life
and with heartfelt sympathy to his loved ones whose grief is
shared by many.
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