Joseph Taylor Williams, 1928-1997

  Joseph Taylor Williams was born on September 17, 1928, in Seaboard, North Carolina, the son of Bessie Ada Allen and Joseph Zachary Williams. As a youngster, Joe and his family settled in Norfolk where Joe attended Granby Street High School. Joe graduated from Emory and Henry College in 1957, and Duke Divinity School in 1962.

  On September 18, 1948, Joe wed Anne Duff. Married for 48 years, Joe and Anne are the parents of four children: Joanne Williams Latimer, James Marion Williams, Richard Thomas Williams, and Laurie Marie Saunders; and nine grandchildren: Matthew and Anne Latimer; Benjamin and Rachel Williams; Michael Ice; Adam, Catherine and Jennifer Dierks; and Taylor Joseph Saunders.

  As a pastor in the Virginia conference for 38 years, Joe served the following congregations: Christ, Jolliff, Trinity (Cape Charles), Aldersgate, Warrenton, Graham Road, Lincolnia, Granbery, Clarendon, and Mineral. While serving local churches with joy and distinction, Joe served on the conference Board of Education, the Division of Evangelism, the Virginia Conference Historical Society, and the Division of Stewardship. Joe was also instrumental in establishing the Southwest Virginia Emmaus Community.

  To know Joe was to be drawn into the presence of a man who was devoted both to the family he loved so deeply and to the service of Christ and the church. Whether you were fortunate to have Joe Williams as a member of your family, as pastor of your church, or as a friend, your life was enriched because of the faith he shared and the joy with which he lived.

  Joe passed away on July 19, and, on July 26, family, friends and ministerial colleagues gathered at Clarendon United Methodist Church to claim the promises of faith and remember with love and appreciation the life and ministry of Joe Williams. Officiating in the service were Dr. Robert J. Stamps, the Rev. Elizabeth Wright Taylor, the Rev. George Freeman and Dr. Robert L. Parsons.

— Robert L. Parsons