Rev. Kenneth Williams

WILLIAMS, Rev. Kenneth - Age 83, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Hurley - Flint. Family hour 10;00 AM Saturday, May 16, 2026, from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor Jerimiah Reese, officiating. Interment Freeport Cemetery, 902 W. Lincoln Blvd., Freeport, IL. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Williams will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed during family hour. Kenneth Williams was born May 18, 1942, in Forest City Arkansas, the son of Earlie Williams and Maudie B. (Piggue) Crump. Kenneth attended high school in Forest City, Arkansas. During his senior year, schools in the South began to desegregate, allowing him to graduate from an integrated school. He often spoke about being bussed to school and how students were passed through academically because segregation had left them so far behind. He also recalled the summertime, when school let out early so students could pick cotton—something he hated with passion. Kenneth would have much rather stayed in school. Somewhere around the time of his graduation, his first daughter, Karen, was born (much love and respect to Karen's mother). He was then drafted into the military during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany, where he served for two years. He said it was a good experience overseas. After his discharge, he lived briefly in Milwaukee before moving to Freeport, Illinois, to work in the booming labor industry. This is where he met Jimmie Walker, and they married on June 7, 1972. After their daughter Beatrice was born, the family moved to Flint, Michigan, where he began working at General Motors. He would go on to have two more daughters, Tiffiny and Jamie. Along with raising his three daughters, he also loved and raised his granddaughter Lisa Walker as his own. He gave them $3 allowances—big money at the time—and took the family on vacations to reunions every year. Kenneth worked hard and retired from General Motors after 30 years. Following retirement, he attended theology school and became Pastor Kenneth Williams. He contributed to his community and helped many families with care and generosity. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and husband. He was married to Jimmie for 35 years and cared for her during her illnesses until her passing on May 17, 2007. He later met and married Charlotte Williams, who passed away shortly after in July 2010. He then married Pearl Cox, and they remained together for 13 years until her passing on August 28, 2023. Some of his hobbies included scrapping metal, playing checkers, enjoying his three meals at the assisted living facility where he lived, and watching CNN. His favorite sports team was Michigan State—and if they lost to Michigan, you would NOT hear from him for at least a week. Everyone loved him, and we all have stories he told us and memories with him to cherish forever. Kenneth Williams leaves to Cherish his memory: 4 daughters, Karen White (Claude) of Arkansas, Beatrice Williams of Arizona, Tiffiny Lyles (Lloyd) of Michigan, and Jamie Williams of Georgia; step-child, Nickie Love; grandchildren, Lisa Walker, Shaquinda Williams, Shamika Williams, Aaron Williams, all of Michigan, Tamara Willims in West Virginia, Tiphanie Williams, Angelo Williams, both of California, Angelice Williams of Georgia, Jimmie Williams, Kenneth Banks, Marvin Banks, and Arianna Banks, all of Arizona, William White, Scott White, and Demetrius White, all of Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Janero Walker (Antoinete) of Georgia, Todjianna Cordell, Jailyn Cordell, both of Michigan, Rui Williams of Japan, and 13 others along with great-great-grand kids; 4 sisters, Verner Mae Williams of Illinois, Deniece (George) Benson, Rickey Newton, all of Missouri, and Murla Williams in TN; 2 brothers, Barry (Judy Lambert) Piggue of Illinois and Sterling Williams (Shakita) of California; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; sister-in-law, Barbara Walker; brother-in-law, Robert Lee Walker, Willie Lee Walker, and Gus Walker; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, Marvin (Tracy) Banks and Malik Shabazz (Joanne), Ilean Wright. Kenneth was preceded in death by his 3 wives, Jimmie Lee Williams, Charlette Williams and Pearl Cox; grandson, Douglas White; 3 step-children, Bettie Williams (Calvin), Marcus Walker, and Kenneth Walker; parents, Earlie Williams and Maudie B. (Piggue) Crump; 4 sisters, Emma Bradley McCoy, Algerice Horde, Patricia Ellis and Connie Whitehead; brother, James Piggue; 3 in-laws, WB Walker, Dorothy Holloway, and his favorite brother-in-law, Eddie Walker. The Family would like to express special thanks to all his loved one’s, friends and Family, Hurley Medical Center Care Coordinating staff, Holiday Garden Assisted Living staff, Pastor Jeremiah Reese and Family Missionary Baptist Church, Madeline Brown, and Charlette Williams.

Rev. Kenneth Williams

May 18, 1942 - May 5, 2026