Edward Williams

Obituary For Edward Williams

Edward Williams
January 6, 2026

Edward Allen Williams was born on August 10, 1940, the third of eleven children born to Richard Matthew and LeVelma Sanders Williams in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Robert Brooks Housing Projects on the westside of Chicago. As a young boy he was constantly on the move. Following in his older brother Richard’s footsteps he joined the boy scouts. He worked his way up from a cub to a sea scout. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School. His academic abilities and adherence to the mass rituals were seen early on by the nuns when as a student they had him serve as an altar boy although at the time he was not a Catholic. Eddie knew the Latin responses, prayers, and duties which impressed the parish priest, Father William B. Centnar. Whether an altar boy or a paper boy whatever he set his mind to he pursued it with zeal. As a classically trained pianist, Father Centnar recognized Edward’s abilities and offer to give him free music lessons which opened a new world to him. He showed such academic promise that he skipped a grade and later graduated as the 8th grade class’s valedictorian. He started early on contributing to the family resources with his paper route and working with his older brother and father doing janitorial services. He attended Marshall High School and excelled in academics and music which led him to his instrument of choice, the trumpet. He graduated from Marshall High School at the age of sixteen. Yet despite his achievements, he needed someone who could provide him with advice about college. Being raised in a Christian home, he knew where to turn. He prayed to God for help and while heading to work one day, received a strong intuition about going to DePaul. His father told him if the Word of God pointed him in a certain direction, he must follow it. And, with divine interventions, he was admitted to DePaul University’s College of Commerce in 1957. On March 7, 1959 Edward was initiated into the Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; the Fraternity’s whose fundamental purpose is Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor. Edward’s life truly exemplified achievement to his fullest. Edward decided to work toward an undergraduate degree in accounting and then pursue studies either in music or in law. He was the only Black student in his class. His final decision on which path to follow was forced by fellow commerce students who harassed him with a hateful racial slur. He decided he would beat them another way. He would learn the law and use it as an instrument for tolerance and mutual respect. Edward graduated with a BS degree in accounting in February, 1962. By 1963 he was a working Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the same year he began night classes in DePaul’s Law School. His schedule during these years was arduous, but his efforts landed him a place to start at the accounting firm of David Himmelblau & Co. and he earned his CPA license in 1964. Edward attended law school at night working in Corporate America by day since the company paid his law school tuition. Edward began a part-time tax practice in Illinois and adding Indiana several years later. He also maintained a weekend tax practice in the Black community of Chicago and later Gary, Indiana. All of this he did while attending law school. His DNA was one of movement never standing still. He was always on the go and into some new project. Over the years he developed an impatience and abruptness which became a part of his survival mode in a highly competitive field. He developed a tougher shell. Edward was a champion for the underserved and he believed in giving back. He looked out for others without any fanfare. He did not brag about what he did, he just did it! His guiding philosophy was, you do not give a hand out but you give a hand up. The noted attorney and later judge, Chauncery Eskridge, had spotted his talent and hired him to handle accounting for clients who included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Mahalia Jackson. As he excelled at his work, he found himself also doing the accounting for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and completing the legal groundwork for its foundation. As Rev. Jesse Jackson was stated in a public forum, “Ed Williams was the CPA for the whole Civil Rights Movement.” In the early ‘70s he was a lecturer in tax law at Depaul and Lewis Universities’ College of Law. In the 1983, he returned to DePaul as an adjunct Tax Professor. In the decades since, Edward enjoyed a long and successful career as a tax lawyer. Always based in Chicago, he was a partner in a succession of firms before opening his own practice; Edward A. Williams & Associated, Ltd. Over the years Edward served on numerous business and professional boards: American, National, Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County Bar Associations, and the American and Illinois Associations of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants, Inc. to name a few. Edward also provided pro bono services for many civic and religious associations. The goals he set for himself was to revive the Black Alumni Association, an organization he initially founded in the late 1970’s. Behind his efforts was a determination that DePaul remain ready to serve as an agency of God’s affirmative action for others, just as it did for him. Edward enjoyed skiing with family and friends as one of the original Gang Ski Club “snow gophers.” He also loved traveling to visit with family and friends. He would show up for every special occasion. He spent months out of the year relaxing and working in Jamaica. He leaves to cherish his memory and rich legacy his children: Angie (Eric) Chatman, Carla (Mohan) Namboodiri, Michael (Courtney) Williams, Pamela (William) Dyle, Walter Williams, Carrie Stanford-Williams, Alexia Hamilton, Xolisa Williams, and Sonwabile Williams, his grandchildren: Lauren, Michael Jr (Bella), and Joseph Williams, Adam, Ernestine, and Nannette Chatman, Neelu and Vijay Namboodiri, Joel Williams, and great granddaughter, Ellie Williams ; brothers, Richard M. Williams, Jr., Anthony P. Williams (Lowanda), sisters, Velma (Herbert) Wilson, Theresa Wright, Anna Dant, Esther Hays, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

VISITATION:

Jan 30, 2026

6PM - 8PM

COTTAGE GROVE LOCATION

Service:
Saturday, January 31, 2026
10:00AM - 12:00PM

Blessed Marie Gabriella West Parish
2248 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60644

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