Freddie’s Amazing Race
“7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, KJV)
On Your Mark...
On October 13, 1940 which was a beautiful fall Sunday in Walls, Mississippi, Freddie Williams Jr. was the second child and eldest son born to Freddie Williams Sr. and Arthell Tate Williams. He professed Christ at an early age at New Nonconnah Missionary Baptist Church where he developed his love for our Lord and Savior under the leadership of Pastor R. L. Jones. As a child, Fred Jr. would often gather with his brothers and cousins at his paternal grandparents’ home to play basketball. The goal was to get picked first. However, poor Fred Jr. was always picked after his brother Earl who was two years younger. To make matters worse, Fred Jr.’s team often lost the games. Despite not being on the winning team, his love for sports never waned. It was at this same home that Fred Jr. first exhibited his love of automobiles. While visiting his parents one day, Fred Sr. stated aloud that he wished someone would bring his truck to the point where they were gathered. At the age of 10, Fred Jr. excitedly volunteered to go get the truck. Without much hesitation and to everyone’s great surprise, the family witnessed Fred Jr. driving up the gravel driveway while standing in the driver’s seat so that he could see above the dashboard.
Get Ready...
Fred Jr. was a 1959 graduate of Geeter High School. It was during his time at Geeter that his passion for vehicles transcended beyond the gravel driveway. He worked as a valet at the Goldsmith parking garage while in high school. After graduating, he worked for Rayloc where he spent his time rebuilding brakes. In the summer of 1960, Fred was visiting the home of his classmate and friend Gloston Anderson Jr. By happenstance, Gloston’s cousin, Castella Jones, was visiting the same day. So stunned by her beauty, Fred Jr. was too nervous to ask for her telephone number. Instead, he asked his friend and her cousin Gloston to get the phone number for him so that he could start courting her.
Get Set...
Castella was heading to Mississippi Industrial College (MI) to pursue a degree in Education.
Yet, Fred Jr. knew from the moment he spotted her that he wanted to pursue a relationship with Castella. He knew that he had to do everything in his power to make sure that he was appealing to her. Fred Jr. felt that he would be competing with all the college guys that Castella would encounter at MI so he had some decisions to make. Under the sound advice of his Uncle James Bates, Fred Jr. decided to pursue a certification in Auto Mechanics, and his uncle secured an opportunity for his nephew to attend school. Fred Jr. attended Mississippi Vocational College which was later changed to Mississippi Valley State University. While pursuing his education, Fred Jr. also pursued both of his passions: repairing automobiles and Castella. Because of his high quality handiwork and stellar reputation, peers and others at the school and in the surrounding areas would often ask him to service their vehicles. Fred Jr. was able to service cars late night at a facility on the campus of Mississippi Vocational College. Fortunately, he was able to court Castella while going to school and working. Oftentimes, he would drive to Mississippi Industrial to pick up and drop off his sweetheart in the various cars that he was servicing.
Go...
On May 8, 1964, Fred Jr. married the love of his life, Castella, at the home of Castella’s sister Frances. Later in the same month, Fred Jr. graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a certification in Auto Mechanics and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. During his union with Castella, five children were born: Tammy, Fredrick, Sean, Toya, and Justin. Fred Jr. and Castella also took in their five-year-old niece, Keeisha, when Castella’s sister passed away. Being the man that he was, Fred Jr. made sure that he maintained employment to take care of his expanding family. He worked at the Treasury as a mechanic and taught at Oakley Training School before being offered an auto mechanics position at Rosa Fort School. As an added bonus and condition of his employment, Fred Jr. secured a teaching position for his wife at Rosa Fort Elementary School where she taught until her retirement. Fred Jr. also let his entrepreneurial spirit race. He opened Williams Parts and Services which was an auto mechanic shop across from the old South Twins Drive-In Movie Theatre. In 1972, Fred Jr. accepted a teaching position with Memphis City Schools as an auto mechanics vocational teacher at Fairley High School. As a teacher at Fairley High School, he mentored and honed the skills of thousands of students who walked through the doors of “the shop”. In 2006 after 34 years of teaching, Fred Jr. retired from Fairley High School after working at the school during the attendance and graduation of his five children and his granddaughter Arthella.
The Final Lap
Fred Jr. spent his latter years doing what he loved best… spending time with his wife and family and making a difference in the lives of others. He made sure that every Christmas, he reminded
his children of the family good times through old videos he recorded when they were younger. Fred Jr. was a technology guru who was always introducing his grandchildren to new videos that he discovered on YouTube. He loved attending family functions where he could be the center of attention sharing funny stories and telling jokes. He was always ready to give as good as he got with his nephews when it came to joking. Some of his best times were spent laying on the floor having conversations with his great-grandson Jaxon. When possible, Fred Jr. also spent a lot of time with his church family at New Nonconnah where he held the honor of being the longest active member of the church. He served as a Deacon as well as being an advocate for the Men’s Brotherhood where he was responsible for the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast. For several years, Fred Jr. taught the Teenager/Young Adult Sunday School class. After retiring from Sunday School teaching, he still faithfully attended the adult Sunday School class where he would always use a parable of a car when reviewing the Sunday School lesson.
The Winning Finish
Fred Jr. gained his white checkered flag on Thursday, October 10, 2019. His last moment was doing what he did so well which was taking care of his wife Castella by bringing her breakfast as he did so many mornings. Fred Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: his beautiful, devoted wife of 55 years Castella Williams; six children: Tammy Glover (Flanning), Fredrick Williams (Kutanya), Sean Williams, Toya Johnson (Dedrick), Keeisha Kenan (niece), and Justin Williams (Tanyanika); eleven grandchildren: Arthella Moore (Rufus), Quena Johnson, Jazmine Johnson, DeMarcus Johnson, Tyler Williams, Zoie Williams, Pasha Lavender, Desiree Woodall, Keon Woodall, Kewon Woodall, and Leshun Paige; one great-grandson Jaxon Moore; two brothers: Earl Williams and Rufus Williams (Carolyn); four sisters: Gwendolyn Able (Whitman), Joyce Keys, Dorothy Jean Turner, and Dian Brown (Albert); ten sisters-in-law: Lillie F. King, Lena Johnson, Robbie Robinson, Doreen Barnes (Joe), Alcola Wright, Homerzell Long, Louise Jones, Irma Jones, Cora Jones, and Virginia Jones; one brother-in-law: Hugh Jones (Catherine) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Freddie Ward Sr. and Arthell Williams and one sister Constance Moore.
Celebration of Life d
Processional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Family of Freddie Williams, Jr. Old & New Testament Scriptures. . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Clementine Mays
Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elder Hugh Jones, Brother-in-Law
Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Song of Celebration. . . . . . . The Freddie Williams Celebration Choir Remembering Freddie Williams, Jr. (3 Minutes, please) Mr. Gloston Anderson, Geeter High School Mr. Howard White, Mississippi Valley State University Mr. Clint Jackson, Fairley High School Solo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mrs. Dian Brown, Sister Words of Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Bartholomew Orr
Brown Missionary Baptist Church
Remembering Freddie Williams, Jr. (3 Minutes, please) Chairman Gregory Toles, New Nonconnah Deacons Ministry Mr. Earl Williams, Brother
~ Video Presentation ~
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mrs. Alcola Wright, Sister-in-Law Song of Celebration. . . . . . . The Freddie Williams Celebration Choir The Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Clennon Saulsberry
New Nonconnah Missionary Baptist Church
Recessional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Family of Freddie Williams, Jr. At the family’s request, the remains will NOT be viewed following the eulogy.
Family Tributes
T O G E T H E R W E S T A N D
Together We Stand!
is for the togetherness we experienced throughout the years. is for the opportunity we have to express our love without fears. is for the goodness of God, who gives us mercy and grace. is for eternity, Fred, you now see Him face to face. is for our thankfulness for all the wonders He has done. is for the honor we give, because He is the sovereign God. is for the encouragement we get when our family comes together. is for the respect and relationship. It is God who makes that better! is for Williams, the family from whence we all came. is for an example of Christ. Fred, you were not ashamed.
is for the Savior. We were told of Him quite early. is for is treasures in Heaven, which we understand quite clearly. is for all of us, and we love our family ties. is for the nurturing we received. O Lord, our parents were wise! is for our devotion to God. He is worthy and deserves our praise! Even in the midst of our grief, we honor Him in all of our ways!
So the family stands in agreement that our Father knows what’s best. We help one another and love one another; for this is just a test. ~ Gwendolyn Able & Siblings~
Race to the Finish
Rev up your engine, the race is about to begin...
You’ve read all the manuals and fixed all the parts, but somehow you don’t feel ready to start. You’ve practiced on the track over and over, but when you’re on that line, all that practice seems to not bring you closure. We are all here, your family in the stands, to scream and cheer. So don’t fear, put your Pontiac in gear. Take a listen. God said your trophy is ready You can come get it... just keep that foot steady! ~Quena Johnson & Grandchildren~
Acknowledgment
Today, we celebrate an amazing man whose heart was made of gold; Our hearts have been blessed by your acts of love and memories through stories told. Facing tomorrow without him is indeed a great loss to bear, But we are comforted and strengthened in just knowing that you are there. The family of Freddie Williams, Jr. wishes to express our most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this diffcult time. May God bless you for your kindness and keep you always.
Mr. Mario Brown Mr. Victor Beal
Active Pallbearers Mr. Alfred Moore Mr. DeMarcus Johnson
Mr. Jonathan Keys Mr. Glenn Wayne Johnson
Mr. Terrance Moore Mr. Adrian Williams Mr. Quincy Brown Mr. Tyler Williams
Mr. Alfred Williams, Jr. Mr. Eric Able Mr. Flanning Glover
Honorary Pallbearers
Mr. Jerome Moore Mr. Anthony Williams Mr. Anthony Able Mr. Dedrick Johnson
Interment
Mount Olive Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery 1919 Getwell Road s Nesbitt, Mississippi 38651 For Freddie Williams’ final race, please place your vehicle in park, rev up your engine, and wait for the checkered flag to wave.
Memorial Repast
Brown Missionary Baptist Church Dining Hall (Immediately Following the Interment)
Services Entrusted To
N. J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home 12 South Parkway s Memphis, TN 38109 (901) 948-7755 Program Design by Precious Memories Graphics & More, (901) 257-9124.