Leon Joseph Williams

Celebrating the Life of

Leon Joseph

Williams Alpha

November 21, 1948

Omega

February 15, 2015

Pilgrim Progress Missionary Baptist Church 3600 Loyola Avenue New Orleans, LA 70115

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Visitation: 10:00 a.m.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.

Rev. Melvin J. Johnson, Officiant

His Story On Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 11:15 a.m., God reached out with his out stretched arms to enfold Leon as he sent some of His most precious angles down to guide Leon to his new home.

Leon Joseph Williams was born to the union of Joseph and Hazel Williams in LeCompte, Louisiana on November 21, 1948. He is the older of two children. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his savior and was of member of the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Lecompte, Louisiana. After moving to New Orleans, and marrying his wife he became a member of Pilgrim Progress Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Lead Guitarist and was a faithful member of the Bible Study group. Leon had many hobbies, but his favorites were playing basketball, riding a motorcycle and playing the guitar. The guitar was his passion.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Williams, maternal grandparents, Joe and Florence Milton Clayton, paternal grandparents, Esau and Celeste Williams As a loving husband, Leon adored his wife. Their union was blessed with three children, two daughters and one son. Leon was a retired welder (25 years) with Pellerin Milnor Corporation.

He was a veteran of the United States Army. He served in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam War. Leon leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Helen, his three children Collette “Roni” Williams; Kenyatta “Zee” (Freemon) Hankerson and Rashad (Aysa) Williams; his mother, Hazel Williams; brother Raymond (Tina) Williams; one aunt Myrtis Gilmore; three grandchildren, Laila, Alana and Alyssa Hankerson; nieces, LaShonda Williams Conant, Yulonda Williams Washington, and host of other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Order Of Service Organ Prelude ………………………………………………… Soft Music Processional ………………........ Deacon Edgar Little, Sr. and Family Greeting ……………………………….......... Pastor Melvin J. Johnson Opening Selection ..……………………..…..……….…………….. Choir Mistress of Service ……………………………......... Sis. Julie M. Little Devotional Period – Deacon Edgar Little, Sr. Old Testament ….. Psalms 23 / New Testament ….. John 14:1-6 Prayer ………………………………….. Deacon Wilbert Chambliss, Sr. Prayer Chant …………………......... What a Friend We Have in Jesus Solo ………………………………………………... Sis. Jacqueline Davis First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Words of Comfort …. Church in General .… Deacon Andrew Lea, Sr. As a Classmate ……………………………………….. Eula Marie Clark As a Friend …………………………………………... Elder Byron Jones As a Father …………………………………………………. The Children Reading/Poem ………….. ”Unconditional Love” from Helen to Leon Selection ……………………………………………………………... Choir Reading of Obituary / Acknowledgements / Telegrams and Florals / Resolution ………..... Sis. Julie M. Little, Church Secretary Selection …… ”I know the Lord Will Make a Way” ….. Instrumental Words of Comfort …………………………………. Rev. Antoine Jacobs Pastor, First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Visiting Ministers …………………………………….. 3 Minutes Please Solo …………………..……………………... Sis. Gwendolyn McDonald Eulogy ………………………………………... Pastor Melvin J. Johnson Parting View … “Music Medley” … Rhodes Funeral Home in Charge Recessional

Precious

Memories

A Wife’s Unconditional Love God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be So he put his arms around you and whispered “Come With Me.” With tearful eyes I watched you, slowly fade away, Although I loved you dearly, I would not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, your beautiful smile at rest.

God broke my heart to prove to me, He only takes the best.

Our two hearts were as one and nothing will ever be the same.

My love for you will always remain.

In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place no one can ever fill.

All My Love, Helen

Tribute‌ Letter to Our Grandfather: Dear Paw Paw, We shall remember you by the music you played. Your music was the best we ever heard. You taught us how to play and you have inspired us to continue to play. We love and always will love you.

Love, Laila, Alana and Alyssa

Active Pallbearers Albert Carter Gideon Carter III Willie DeLaney

Byron Jones Anthony Lea Edgar Little

Honorary Pallbearers Andrew Lea Joseph Lea Freemon Hankerson Louis Armstrong, Jr.

Rashad Williams Issac Lea Louis Armstrong, Sr. Alfred Kinsey

INTERMENT St. Mark Baptist Church 11972 La Highway 417 Batchelor, Louisiana 70715

ARRANGEMENTS

REPAST

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125

Pilgrim Progress M.B.C. Fellowship Hall

Acknowledgement We, the family of Brother Leon J. Williams would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for your outpouring love, support, your thoughtful deeds, your prayers and other gestures of kindness you have shown during the passing of our loved one. We also thank Pastor Johnson for his prayers and words of encouragement. We especially thank Isaac and Florene Lea for all the support and love they have shown us during this difficult journey. Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much.

May God bless each of you.

The Family Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 338-8753 or (504) 453-2186