ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 51
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Freddie
Williams, Sr., a beloved father, educator, and servant of God.
WHEREAS, Freddie Williams, Sr., was born on June 8, 1938, in Alco, Louisiana,
to the union of Volover W. Williams, Sr., and Fannie Lynch Williams; Freddie accepted
Christ at an early age and became an active member of Bethel AME Church in DeRidder;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was educated in the Beauregard Parish School System,
and he graduated from George Washington Carver High School as the salutatorian of the
1956 graduating class; after graduating, he moved to Baton Rouge and attended Southern
University A&M where he earned a bachelor of science degree in English and a masters plus
thirty in educational administration and supervision; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was certified by the Louisiana Department of Education
in English, administration and supervision, and guidance and counseling; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams married Millie Marie Leggett in 1961, and the couple had
three children; he enlisted in the United States Army and served, at the time of the Cuban
Missile Crisis, as an English language instructor at Fort Buchanan Military Training Center
in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, Mr. and Mrs. Williams returned to the United
States with their firstborn son, and Mr. Williams continued his career in education; he taught
at both McKinley and Tara High Schools in Baton Rouge and served as the dean of students
and assistant principal at Baton Rouge Magnet High School; while at Baton Rouge Magnet,
he was instrumental in aiding the development of the new magnet program; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, Mr. Williams was tasked by the superintendent of the East
Baton Rouge Parish School System with helping launch a new magnet program in North
Baton Rouge; he reopened the former Scotlandville High School as a college-prep academic
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and pre-engineering magnet program; under his leadership as principal, the school grew to
become a highly successful and competitive program and earned recognition for its many
partnerships, student academic achievements, and scholarship awards; and
WHEREAS, after serving for seventeen years as principal of Scotlandville Magnet
High School, Mr. Williams moved on to assist students at Baton Rouge Prep Academy
before retiring; however, in his retirement, he continued to serve and lead students as an
acting principal and a principal mentor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was a life-long member of Bethel AME Church where
he served on the Trustee Board and as minister of music for many years; he was recognized
as "Grandfather of the Year" by his church family and served as a member of the Southern
University Choir, Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Masons; Mr. Williams was
also an original member of the notable Heritage ensemble; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Millie Marie
Williams; daughters, Tirzah Williams-Smith, and her husband Larry, and Angie Weems, and
her husband Renaldo; son, Maurice Antonio Williams, and his wife LaTaunga; seventeen
grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives; and
WHEREAS, Freddie Williams, Sr., was a truly admirable servant of God and his
work and leadership as an educator shall not be forgotten; he will be deeply missed.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere condolences on the death of Freddie
Williams, Sr.; does hereby recognize Freddie Williams, Sr., for his extensive
accomplishments as an educator and offer appreciation for his service to the state of
Louisiana and to his country; and does hereby extend hopes and wishes that his family may
find peace and comfort knowing that he is at home with God in Heaven.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Freddie Williams, Sr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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