Walter Franklin Williams Jr.

WALTER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS, JR., 91, went to live forever with his Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, the 13th of August 2008. Walter was born on the 16th of July 1917, in Ennis, TX to Walter Franklin, Sr. and Luretha Katherine Williams. The oldest of three brothers, he spent his youth in Bonham fishing, hunting, and playing every sport his small high school offered, earning a record total of 10 letters in football, basketball, and track. Walter's love of sports continued at North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington where he captained the football team and at the University of Texas where he continued to play football until he was injured. He earned a bachelor degree in business administration at UT and a master degree at the University of Houston in 1948. He served with the Navy in World War II. Walter met the love of his life, Anna Lou Moore, at her church in Lampasas. He married her on the 3rd of August 1942 and enjoyed nearly 62 years with her by his side. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Houston where they joined South Main Baptist Church the same year. Walter began a career at the University of Houston that would span 37 years and include positions as Associate Professor of Industrial Management, Assistant Dean of the College of Technology, Director of University Relations, and Director of Institutional Events and Services. He wore many hats as he taught math, recruited students, dedicated buildings, planned commencements, and coordinated football halftime programs. When he won the McElhinney Distinguished Service Award in 1974, he said he hoped he would be "remembered as somebody who helped somebody." When he wasn't helping people in his official capacities at UH, he was busy refereeing football and basketball games at the high school and college levels for more than 30 years. One newspaper article praised his work as a basketball and football official as "always impartial, fair, and dependable." Walter's natural ability to lead people spilled over into every area of his life, including his son's sports teams and his daughter's high school booster club. His skill at coordinating events and serving others was especially evident in his time at South Main Baptist Church. In his 66 years as a member of South Main, Walter served as Superintendent of Young Marrieds and Adult Sunday School and Chairman of the Nursery and Baptismal Committees. He also coached the youth basketball team and was a member of the Properties and the Public Relations Committee. Perhaps of all his roles, he will best be remembered for his commitment with Mainstreamers, the senior adult ministry of South Main. He and Ann stepped into this role immediately after Walter retired from UH, and they nurtured it together for nearly 20 years, celebrating birthdays and holidays, leading retreats and field trips, and hosting game nights. Walter served his church as a deacon, a role that suited him well. In 2001 his fellow deacons recognized him as Honored Deacon. They described him as "a rock, the stable one in crisis, nurturing, loyal, quiet but with a strong spirit," and they said they honored him "not so much for what he said, but for his presence and who he was." Through all the athletic games, UH events, and church activities, his most enduring love and commitment were for his family. He loved his wife Ann in the manner that Christ loves the church, serving her and honoring her. Ann wrote that she had complete trust that he would be there for her at all times, and she said he was the most unselfish person she had ever known. Surely one of Walter's most important legacies is that his children and grandchildren desire to be the same type of parent and spouse that he was. Walter loved spending time with his family - camping, fishing, gardening, planning family reunions, preparing for holidays, playing cards and dominoes, watching ballgames, and looking at family pictures. He was never too busy to attend a little league game or a school musical concert. And he was never too busy to share a bowl of ice cream before bed. Walter is preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann, his granddaughter Joy Elizabeth Williams, his brothers James and Howard Williams, and his sister-in-law Mary Evelyn Williams. He is survived by his son Walter F. Williams, III (Trey) and daughter, Janis Ann Carpenter, and their spouses Candy and Steve. Walter is survived by his grandchildren, Trent Williams; Annie Phillips and her husband Jeremy; Joel, Katie, Amy, and Kara Carpenter; his great-granddaughter Evelyn Carpenter, and his sister-in-law, Edith Williams. Walter appreciated the care and respect shown by his friends at Sheltering Arms and Brighton Gardens, diligently thanking them many times a day. He took the instruction of I Thessalonians 5:18 to heart: "In everything give thanks." Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 15th of August, in the Drawing Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. A graveside service for the family will be held at nine o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 16th of August, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Avenue in Houston. A memorial service will follow at eleven o'clock in the morning, in the Sanctuary of South Main Baptist Church, 4100 South Main Street in Houston. A reception will follow in the Welcome Center. Honorary pallbearers are the deacons and Mainstreamers of South Main Baptist Church. For those desiring, memorial contributions in Walter's name may be sent to South Main Baptist Church, 4100 South Main, Houston, Texas 77002 or Goodwill Industries of Houston, Inc., 10795 Hammerly, Houston, Texas 77043.