Obituary for Deacon Ollie Williams
Deacon Ollie Williams was born on Friday, October 21, 1949, in Hollandale, Mississippi. His loving parents, Ruby (Williams) Underwood and stepfather, Samuel Underwood, preceded him in death.
Ollie grew up in Urbana, Illinois and at the age of 11, he was baptized at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Later in life, he was also baptized in the Jordan River in Israel. He attended the Urbana School District where he graduated in 1968. He was an excellent student and avid reader! Ollie graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, majoring in Biology and where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. On December 16, 1969, while Ollie was visiting in New York with five of his Omega Brothers (Ques), Ollie met the love of his life, Ruth, and six months later they were married. From this union were born 2 sons, Omari and Rasheid (deceased).
Ollie was called to military service in 1971 to the United States Air Force where he served at different locations such as Lackland Air Force Base, Witchita Falls and Malcolm Grow Medical Center. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and remained in the area until he was honorably discharged in 1976. After release from the military, Ollie continued his higher education earning a B.S. Degree in Microbiology (1976) at the University of Maryland and M.S. Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University (1980). He started working for the Federal Government, NIH, for over 20 years and worked for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until his passing. His occupation was a Biochemist/Molecular Biologist.
Ollie loved photography and was a world traveler who would shoot wherever he was! He loved gospel music, jazz and the blues. He considered himself a computer geek! He had a passion for reading and researching everything! He prided himself in reading the Bible to his grandmother. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife Ruth, son and daughter (in love), and his grandson, Mason, who Ollie had the pleasure of playing his last chess game with him in October 2022.
One thing for certain about Ollie was that he loved the Lord and served Him faithfully! Ollie was a Deacon at Unity Baptist Church before joining First Baptist Church of Highland Park in 1987 and he continued his faithful duties as a deacon and ultimately becoming Chairman of the Deacon Board for several years. He was
actively involved in many ministries to include the Grief Share Ministry, Head of the Photography Ministry, Guiding Ministry, Discipleship Ministry (Facilitator), Prison Ministry, Investment/Finance Committee, Crown Ministry and Sunday School to name a few.
Deacon Williams is now in the presence of the Angelic Host and was preceded in death by his son Rasheid Ali Williams, Father Johnnie Watts, Step-father Samuel Underwood, Sr., Mother Ruby Underwood, and Brother Samuel Underwood, Jr.
He leaves warm memories to all that knew and loved him, especially his wife of 52 years, Ruth Willliams, one surviving son Omari (Lara), one grandson Mason, brother Ronnie (Augustine), sister Debra (John), aunts Blandena and Odessa, uncle King James Underwood and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his First Baptist Highland Park Church Family
Ollie grew up in Urbana, Illinois and at the age of 11, he was baptized at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Later in life, he was also baptized in the Jordan River in Israel. He attended the Urbana School District where he graduated in 1968. He was an excellent student and avid reader! Ollie graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, majoring in Biology and where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. On December 16, 1969, while Ollie was visiting in New York with five of his Omega Brothers (Ques), Ollie met the love of his life, Ruth, and six months later they were married. From this union were born 2 sons, Omari and Rasheid (deceased).
Ollie was called to military service in 1971 to the United States Air Force where he served at different locations such as Lackland Air Force Base, Witchita Falls and Malcolm Grow Medical Center. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and remained in the area until he was honorably discharged in 1976. After release from the military, Ollie continued his higher education earning a B.S. Degree in Microbiology (1976) at the University of Maryland and M.S. Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University (1980). He started working for the Federal Government, NIH, for over 20 years and worked for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until his passing. His occupation was a Biochemist/Molecular Biologist.
Ollie loved photography and was a world traveler who would shoot wherever he was! He loved gospel music, jazz and the blues. He considered himself a computer geek! He had a passion for reading and researching everything! He prided himself in reading the Bible to his grandmother. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife Ruth, son and daughter (in love), and his grandson, Mason, who Ollie had the pleasure of playing his last chess game with him in October 2022.
One thing for certain about Ollie was that he loved the Lord and served Him faithfully! Ollie was a Deacon at Unity Baptist Church before joining First Baptist Church of Highland Park in 1987 and he continued his faithful duties as a deacon and ultimately becoming Chairman of the Deacon Board for several years. He was
actively involved in many ministries to include the Grief Share Ministry, Head of the Photography Ministry, Guiding Ministry, Discipleship Ministry (Facilitator), Prison Ministry, Investment/Finance Committee, Crown Ministry and Sunday School to name a few.
Deacon Williams is now in the presence of the Angelic Host and was preceded in death by his son Rasheid Ali Williams, Father Johnnie Watts, Step-father Samuel Underwood, Sr., Mother Ruby Underwood, and Brother Samuel Underwood, Jr.
He leaves warm memories to all that knew and loved him, especially his wife of 52 years, Ruth Willliams, one surviving son Omari (Lara), one grandson Mason, brother Ronnie (Augustine), sister Debra (John), aunts Blandena and Odessa, uncle King James Underwood and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and his First Baptist Highland Park Church Family