HLS 20RS-2375 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 51
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Freddie Williams, Sr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Freddie
3 Williams, Sr., a beloved father, educator, and servant of God.
4 WHEREAS, Freddie Williams, Sr., was born on June 8, 1938, in Alco, Louisiana,
5to the union of Volover W. Williams, Sr., and Fannie Lynch Williams; Freddie accepted
6Christ at an early age and became an active member of Bethel AME Church in DeRidder;
7and
8 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was educated in the Beauregard Parish School System,
9and he graduated from George Washington Carver High School as the salutatorian of the
101956 graduating class; after graduating, he moved to Baton Rouge and attended Southern
11University A&M where he earned a bachelor of science degree in English and a masters plus
12thirty in educational administration and supervision; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was certified by the Louisiana Department of Education
14in English, administration and supervision, and guidance and counseling; and
15 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams married Millie Marie Leggett in 1961, and the couple had
16three children; he enlisted in the United States Army and served, at the time of the Cuban
17Missile Crisis, as an English language instructor at Fort Buchanan Military Training Center
18in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and
19 WHEREAS, after his military service, Mr. and Mrs. Williams returned to the United
20States with their firstborn son, and Mr. Williams continued his career in education; he taught
21at both McKinley and Tara High Schools in Baton Rouge and served as the dean of students
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HR NO. 51
1and assistant principal at Baton Rouge Magnet High School; while at Baton Rouge Magnet,
2he was instrumental in aiding the development of the new magnet program; and
3 WHEREAS, in 1982, Mr. Williams was tasked by the superintendent of the East
4Baton Rouge Parish School System with helping launch a new magnet program in North
5Baton Rouge; he reopened the former Scotlandville High School as a college-prep academic
6and pre-engineering magnet program; under his leadership as principal, the school grew to
7become a highly successful and competitive program and earned recognition for its many
8partnerships, student academic achievements, and scholarship awards; and
9 WHEREAS, after serving for seventeen years as principal of Scotlandville Magnet
10High School, Mr. Williams moved on to assist students at Baton Rouge Prep Academy
11before retiring; however, in his retirement, he continued to serve and lead students as an
12acting principal and a principal mentor; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a life-long member of Bethel AME Church where
14he served on the Trustee Board and as minister of music for many years; he was recognized
15as "Grandfather of the Year" by his church family and served as a member of the Southern
16University Choir, Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Masons; Mr. Williams was
17also an original member of the notable Heritage ensemble; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Millie Marie
19Williams; daughters, Tirzah Williams-Smith, and her husband Larry, and Angie Weems, and
20her husband Renaldo; son, Maurice Antonio Williams, and his wife LaTaunga; seventeen
21grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives; and
22 WHEREAS, Freddie Williams, Sr., was a truly admirable servant of God and his
23work and leadership as an educator shall not be forgotten; he will be deeply missed.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
25Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere condolences on the death of Freddie
26Williams, Sr.; does hereby recognize Freddie Williams, Sr., for his extensive
27accomplishments as an educator and offer appreciation for his service to the state of
28Louisiana and to his country; and does hereby extend hopes and wishes that his family may
29find peace and comfort knowing that he is at home with God in Heaven.
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HR NO. 51
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
2family of Freddie Williams, Sr.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 51 Original 2020 Regular Session James
Expresses condolences on the death of Freddie Williams, Sr.
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