Mr. Asbury T. Williams

WILLIAMS, Mr. Asbury T. - age 93, passed away Saturday, October 11, 2014 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. with memorial service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Steve Horton officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home 10 a.m. Friday. Mr. Williams may be viewed during the family hour only. Asbury Theodore Williams Sr. was born January 25, 1921 in Due West, South Carolina. The son of Asbury T. and Helen (Watson) Williams, Mr. Williams graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1939. He attended Detroit Institute of Technology and worked as a Pharmacy Apprentice until he joined the military in 1942. Asbury enjoyed his time in the U. S. Army and spoke of his service during World War II in France and Italy. After completing his military service in December 1945 and receiving military honors, including two Bronze stars, he then returned to Pharmacy School and graduated with a B. S. in Pharmacy from Detroit Institute of Technology in 1948. Ted met his sister’s best friend Dorothy Harvey who was attending Howard University in Washington DC. Helen brought Dorothy home to Pontiac, Michigan where she met the Williams Boys. When she finally met Ted she decided “that’s the one for me.” Ted and Dorothy were married September 1, 1946 at Union Baptist Church in Passaic, New Jersey. To this union were born six “rascals”, Mr. Williams enduring term for his children. Mr. Williams opened a Pharmacy with his brother Wendell (a pharmacist at that time) in River Rouge, Michigan. Mr. Williams and his brother Wendell along with others had a vison to provide medical services to the local African-American Community. They formed the Flint Medical investment Corporation and began construction in 1966 of the clinic known as the T. Wendell Williams Medical Building. Ted and Wendell also participated in the Civil Rights Movement March in Salem, Al. Asbury better known as “Pa” knew how to keep his six rascals under control while allowing them to showcase their creativity. Pa shared his many interests with his children and grandchildren including the love of reading, music, gardening, carpentry and photography. Pa and his wife Dorothy were both active members of Fairhaven Seventh Day Adventist Church in Flint, Michigan. Over the course of 40 years. Pa served in many positions including Church Clerk, Sabbath School Secretary, Deacon and Elder. Pa and Dorothy had a Missionary spirit and served for several years working with Fairhaven Community Service Center as well as moving to Wildwood, GA for 3 years to focus on Health Ministries. Mr. Asbury Williams leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Dorothy Williams; 2 daughters; 4 sons, Dorian (Palmer) of Davenport, IA, Asbury III (Esther) of Atlanta, GA, Joseph (Marva) Kissimmee, FL, Candace Williams of Orinda, CA, Gregory Williams of Davison, MI and David Williams of Atlanta, GA; Eleven grandchildren, Amanda, Bridget (Jimmy), Jennifer, Erinn, Olivia, Justin all of Atlanta, Ga, Stephanie, Helen both of Alexandria, VA, Jonathan of Columbus, OH, Brianna of Chicago, IL and Gabriel (Diane) of Brooklyn, NY; 3 great-grandchildren, Christian, Allison and Harley Rae; sister, Helen McAfee of Davenport, IA; sister-in-law, Bernice of Southfield, MI; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins including Rose Mary Butler and Sarah Whitt; aunt, Kate Wimms of Abbeyville, SC. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, Asbury and Helen Williams, Sr.; 4 brothers, Wendell, Joe, George and Douglas McAfee; nephew, T. Wendell Jr.

Mr. Asbury T. Williams

January 25, 1921 - October 11, 2014