Willie R. Williams Jr.

Willie R. Williams, Jr.

Willie Rosevelt Williams, Jr., a lifelong resident of Barberton, and a beloved community activist, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, October 12, 2024, after a long illness. Born in Georgetown, Georgia, on February 26, 1958, to Willie R. Williams, Sr. and Mary Ella Liptroth Williams, Willie was the third of five children.

Willie's love for his family was unparalleled, particularly his devotion to his nephews and niece, for whom he was a steadfast cheerleader. His presence at graduations and family gatherings was a testament to his boundless support and commitment to their lives.

From an early age, Willie's passion for learning was evident through his love for comic books and sci-fi novels, although his greatest love was for the Lord, whom he accepted into his life at a young age. A dedicated member of the Neighborhood Youth Corps during his teenage years, Willie graduated from Barberton High School in 1977 and pursued further education at the University of Akron.

By 24, Willie had already demonstrated his work ethic and leadership as the manager of Valley Food in Magic City Plaza. His contributions to the Barberton community were significant and long-lasting. He served as the second vice president of the Barberton NAACP and worked tirelessly to promote Christian family values. He took great pride in organizing community events such as the South Barberton Parade and the Elson Park Festival.

Willie's legacy includes his years as the Youth Pastor at The King's Chapel in Akron, where he imparted the precepts of God's Word to his nephews and niece. He later served as an assistant manager at Furniture Mattress Warehouse and was a dedicated member of Heart of Christ Ministries, where he held the roles of Elder and Bible Study Teacher.

Willie is survived by his cherished sisters, Minnie L. Harris and Charlene Williams; nephews, Daniel Williams, Patrick Williams, Rev. Howard M. Harris, Jr. (Naidra), Demitrias Williams; niece, Miriam Harris-Jones (Ted); and many great-nephews and great-nieces. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Calvin Williams and Prevadello William, as well as his devoted parents.

A service to celebrate Willie's life will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. His unwavering faith and dedication to spreading the Word of God will forever remain an inspiration to all who knew him.

To view the livestream of the funeral service click here at the scheduled day and time.

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