Bill Williams

Bill Williams Aug. 28, 1925 - August 6, 2007 Mr. Bill Williams is survived by his four children, Donald, Patricia, Camille, and Kent; son-in-law Melvin Reynolds, Sr.; daughters-in-law Karen and Monica; 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. In the Mid-1960's, members of the Antioch Baptist Church in San Jose, and individuals from the community envisioned a project that would provide affordable housing and child care for those living in poverty. The group approached Bill Williams for help. At that time, Mr. Williams was only one the few African American general building superintendents in the Santa Clara valley. He referred the group to an architect who submitted the successful bid to design the housing complex and child development center. Mr. Williams was hired to oversee construction in the late 1960's and was asked to mange the housing project following its completion early in 1971. San Juan Bautista Child Development Center, Inc opened as a separate nonprofit entity on the grounds of the housing project in April of that same year. Bill Williams was the organization's only Executive Director until August 2005 when, as he turned 80, retired from the agency. He has helped tens of thousands of children and families over the years. He has instilled the spirit of not only making a difference, but actually being the difference, throughout the entire organization. Bill never forgot the importance of providing opportunities for people to be successful. He always felt that childbirth should be a blessing and not an obstacle to success. Among his many personal accomplishments as a multi-faceted entrepreneur and community activist, Bill Williams served as a founding member of the San Jose Branch of the NAACP. He is a co-founder of CPAC, a group whose purpose is to provide information and support to community members affecting the families in the Alum Rock Union School District. These are just a few of the many things Mr. Williams did to enrich his community. Through his leadership, he enriched the lives of countless individuals. SJB Child Development Centers has established the "Bill Williams Memorial Fund" honoring the legacy of Bill Williams. Gifts and memorials in the form of donations can be made to SJBCDC, in care of Bill Williams, 1945 Terilyn Avenue, San Jose, CA 95122. For more information please call (408) 259-4796. Viewing will be held at Jones Mortuary at 660 Donohoe St. in East Palo Alto on Thursday, August 9 from 6-8 PM. Services honoring Bill Williams will be held at Oak Hill Funeral Home at 300 Curtner Avenue in San Jose on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 1:00 PM.