Diocese Remembers Fr. Ken Williams

By: Randy Tiller, John Mark Willcox

Our diocese lost one of our revered senior priests when Reverend Kenneth Anthony Williams passed away on November 27, 2020, at Sabine Retirement and Rehab Center. Fr. Ken had a profound influence on the Catholics of our Southern Deanery, and will be deeply missed by the faithful.

Fr. Ken was called to Holy Orders by Bishop Charles P. Greco following his seminary education and was ordained on May 25, 1963, at the Pontifical College Josephinum, by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi. He was first assigned to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria, Louisiana, then served locally at St. John the Baptist Parish in Many for 7-1/2 years, and at St. Catherine’s of Noble, and St. Ann’s in Ebarb for 13 years until his retirement on May 29, 2005. He also served in parishes in Shreveport, Marksville, Pineville and Homer, LA.

Fr. Ken loved his South Louisiana heritage, but he had a profound love for the Catholics of Sabine Parish and was known to appear at many a funeral or sacramental event well past his retirement years. He was also known for his special devotion to children, recognizing and blessing them and often having them participate in the Mass. He will always be remembered for carrying medals, rosary beads and prayer cards with him and freely handing them out to all he came in contact with. Fr. Ken will fondly be remembered for reaching out to friends, co-workers, and others with birthday cards, Christmas cards; each with a special note and sentiment. While you sometimes received your birthday card months away from the actual date, there was still Fr. Ken’s handwritten sentiment, sharing a meaningful message of blessing and hope with the addition of a beautiful Holy Card you had never seen before. Receiving a note and a card any time of year from Fr. Williams was truly a blessing.

Fr. Ken’s devotion to our Blessed Mother was legendary, and he was always willing to give a priestly blessing to anything that required it. All you needed to do was ask, and his right hand would go up with a special blessing for that moment. Fr. Kenneth enjoyed traveling and left many mementos of pictures, newspaper articles and events. He touched many lives by sharing his travels and will be sadly missed.

The Diocese of Shreveport expresses its profound gratitude to Thelma Small and her late husband Jimmy, for the faithful care and assistance they both provided to Fr. Williams over the past 3 decades, and especially in his retirement years and final illness. The Diocese also thanks the staff and caregivers of Sabine Retirement & Rehab Center for their devoted care.

Our special thanks to all the wonderful friends and family who traveled from near and far to assist Fr. Ken throughout many years.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in remembrance of Fr. Williams can be made to St. Joseph Parish, 307 W. Hammond Street, Zwolle, LA 71486; St. John the Baptist Parish, 1130 San Antonio Avenue, Many, LA 71449; or Diocese of Shreveport, Priests’ Retirement Fund, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104.