Bishop Robert L. Williams, Sr.
09/07/1937 - 11/04/2022
Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. EST Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Christ Community Church, Columbus, GA with The Most Reverend Titus B. Deas, Jr. Presiding Bishop and officiant. Visitation is Friday, November 11, 2022 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST.
The Honorable Emeritus Diocese Bishop Robert Lee Williams, Sr. departed this life into the hands of our Heavenly Father on November 4, 2022.
He was born September 7, 1937 in Russell County, AL to the late Abe Williams and the late Willie Lou Perry. He had six siblings which preceded him in death.
He was married to Minister Ida B. Pinkins Williams, who also preceded him in death. Bishop Williams attended Glenville High School in Pittsview, AL. He joined Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church at an early age in Cottonton, AL. Later he was employed with Sears & Roebuck Co., for 30 years. While working with Sears, he was the first black to become a Safety Specialist Inspector and later was moved up to be a Salesman in Appliances. During that period, he later joined Cottonton First Born Church with his wife and was saved with the Holy Spirit. During the process of him getting saved, many of his family and friends came to know the Lord in the pardoning of their sins.
After his retirement from Sears, he wanted to be an entrepreneur in his own business. He opened Ideal Motors, a car lot automotive service for vehicles, to serve the people in the community and to be a blessing to people in and out of church. Ideal Motors was established to be a family owned business.
Bishop Williams later was moved to get a First Born Church in Columbus, GA, which was named after the Pastor that was in Cottonton First Born Church, Elder Samuel James Williams. He along with the Board approved that Deacon Robert Williams establish a church which was named Williams Temple First Born Church, Columbus, GA. Later Deacon Robert Williams was called into the Ministry.
He was moved to get his own church and he named it Evangel Temple, Thirty Second Street First Born Church and God blessed for many years the increase in membership, spiritual growth and finances. He was an Alumnus of The First Born Seminary and Training School in Waycross Georgia, where he earned his diploma in Christian Education, a Bachelors of Theology and a Masters of Theology.
He moved up to an ordained Elder and served on the Mighty Mid-South Diocese on the Alabama District for many years. He served in various positions in the Local Church, Chairman Deacon, Choir President, Choir Director, Home Mission President, Pastor, Superintendent of Sunday School, Y.P.C.W., Home Mission and strongly supported by his wife. On the Alabama District, he served as Presiding Elder, Superintendent, Chairman of Finance and later was appointed to Jr. Bishop of the Mighty Mid-South Diocese. Afterward, he was blessed to become a Consecrated Bishop in the Organization and was elected Diocese Bishop of The South Carolina Diocese in 2005 until 2019.
After retiring from Diocese Bishop of South Carolina, he continued to serve on the Mid- South Diocese, Alabama District and local church as Overseer until his demise.
He leaves to cherish his memories and legacy six sons, Joseph (Tiwauna) Williams, Robert (Nanette ) Williams, Jr., Waring Williams, Tory Williams, Ezra (Kisa) Williams all of Columbus, GA and Sprague Williams of Portsmouth, VA; one daughter, Deirdre Williams of Columbus, GA; one sister, Mary Mathis; one brother-in-law, William Richardson of Miami FL; one sister-in-law, Janice (Min. Donald) Donahue of Stone Mountain, GA; 10 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two god daughters and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
He had many spiritual children, spiritual brothers and sisters, including all of the members of Evangel Temple First Born Church and the entire First Born Church Of The Living God, Inc.