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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY SENATOR WILLARD-LEWIS
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Deacon John B. Williams.
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
has learned of the death of Deacon John B. Williams, a great man of prayer, wisdom, and
integrity, on April 27, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Deacon John B. Williams embodied the scriptural characteristics of a
holy man of God as found in Titus 1:7-9, being trustworthy, upright, holy, disciplined, self-
controlled, and a lover of good; and
WHEREAS, he served faithfully some thirty-five years in churches of the
Archdiocese of New Orleans, and despite having officially retired, he continued in
occasional service until he sustained a lengthy illness; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams' principal assignment was St. Raymond Catholic
Church and, following Hurricane Katrina, St. Raymond-St. Leo the Great; and
WHEREAS, he is best remembered for his commanding voice as an eloquent and
distinct proclaimer of scripture, a distinction that earned him a coveted role as gospel
proclaimer for Pope John Paul's lakefront service during his visit to New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, a gifted, principled, and spirited man, Deacon Williams was a former
teacher and public school principal, also having a distinguished career as a community
advocate and promoter of good and active citizenship and wholesome family entertainment,
while he, together with his wife of more than fifty years, Mrs. Antoinette Edinburgh
Williams served as business entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, Deacon Williams was the first Director of the Office of Black Catholics
of the Archdiocese of New Orleans; and SR NO. 14 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, John Williams and his wife together were a shining light and living
example of true Christian love with their hospitality, friendship, and respect for other people;
and
WHEREAS, Deacon John Williams will live forever in the memories of his family,
friends, and those who had the good fortune to have known him.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana that sincere condolences are hereby extended on the death of Deacon John B.
Williams.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Antoinette Williams.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE