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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY SENATOR WILLARD-LEWIS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Deacon John B. Williams.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Deacon John B. Williams.3
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
has learned of the death of Deacon John B. Williams, a great man of prayer, wisdom, and5
integrity, on April 27, 2011; and 6
WHEREAS, Deacon John B. Williams embodied the scriptural characteristics of a7
holy man of God as found in Titus 1:7-9, being trustworthy, upright, holy, disciplined, self-8
controlled, and a lover of good; and9
WHEREAS, he served faithfully some thirty-five years in churches of the10
Archdiocese of New Orleans, and despite having officially retired, he continued in11
occasional service until he sustained a lengthy illness; and 12
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams' principal assignment was St. Raymond Catholic13
Church and, following Hurricane Katrina, St. Raymond-St. Leo the Great; and 14
WHEREAS, he is best remembered for his commanding voice as an eloquent and15
distinct proclaimer of scripture, a distinction that earned him a coveted role as gospel16
proclaimer for Pope John Paul's lakefront service during his visit to New Orleans; and 17
WHEREAS, a gifted, principled, and spirited man, Deacon Williams was a former18 SR NO. 14
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teacher and public school principal, also having a distinguished career as a community1
advocate and promoter of good and active citizenship and wholesome family entertainment,2
while he, together with his wife of more than fifty years, Mrs. Antoinette Edinburgh3
Williams served as business entrepreneurs; and 4
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams was the first Director of the Office of Black Catholics5
of the Archdiocese of New Orleans; and 6
WHEREAS, John Williams and his wife together were a shining light and living7
example of true Christian love with their hospitality, friendship, and respect for other people;8
and 9
WHEREAS, Deacon John Williams will live forever in the memories of his family,10
friends, and those who had the good fortune to have known him.11
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of12
Louisiana that sincere condolences are hereby extended on the death of Deacon John B.13
Williams.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to15
Antoinette Williams.16
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Willard-Lewis SR No. 14
Expresses condolences upon the death of Deacon John B. Williams.