Marion Williams

Des Moines - Marion E. Williams passed from this life to God's unending realm and is chillaxing with Jesus and many family members, friends and fraternity brothers from his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 11 am TODAY, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Elim Christian Fellowship. Interment will be at 9:30 am Thursday (tomorrow) at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Dad was a deeply respected community leader, a retired pharmacist, and man of great faith and social justice activism. The Des Moines Men's Ministry, which he founded, has an active homeless outreach and food security program. He still fed the homeless, worked as an elementary school mentor to inner city youth and served on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also actively involved in current efforts across mainline and evangelical denominations to build bridges of racial reconciliation in Des Moines. He lived 87 very full years.

He leaves us behind with his Kappa sweetheart Cookie (Corliss), with whom he shared life and faith about 70 years; his children, Rev. Julie A. Johnson Staples and Mark E Williams; his sister Betty Bershell; grandchildren, Justin D Johnson, Anthony J Williams, Aaron J Williams and Ashley J Williams and a great granddaughter, Mercedes Williams.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register on Jul. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Marion Williams

Sponsored by Hendersons Funeral & Cremation Care - Des Moines.

12 Entries

Dan Jorndt

May 22, 2020

I worked 4 years for Marion at his Center Street drug store while a pharmacy student at Drake University. Dr. Griffin, Dr. Jones and Dr. Ware were great supporters of Marion and his business.
Marion was a smart, gracious, hard-working man who treated everyone with kindness and respect.
With the advent of e-mail, Marion began sending me a scripture verse each week. To Marion, I was always a work in progress. Wonderful man, wonderful memories. Dan Jorndt

Wendell Danforth

July 13, 2018

May God Bless the Williams family during this and all times. Marion was a great friend to my father and to me also. He truly is a man of God.

Vicki Webb/Whiteside

July 11, 2018

I was truly sorry to hear about Marion Williams death. I just saw him on Thursday, talk with him, give him a big hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I hadn't seen him for several months and was glad to have an opportunity to talk to him. Please have my condolences for your loss because he was a really good man I met him first when he had the pharmacy on 12th and Center Street and you know that was some time ago.

Dr. Barbara L. Hampton

July 11, 2018

Dear Julie,

It is sorrowful to hear about the loss of your father, Mr. Marion Williams, and I express my sincere sympathy to you and to your family. May my condolences bring you comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this moment . I trust that the care and love of those around you in Des Moines will provide comfort and peace to get you through the days immediately ahead. May God grant Mr. Williams eternal rest.

With love and care,
Barbara

Janice Collier

July 10, 2018

I remember Mr Williams when he worked at Bell and Holberts drug store. He was a pharmacist. He was always kind and wore a smile. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace Mr Williams.

Byron Moore

July 10, 2018

Remember him well. Used to come to the restaurant (Sir BBQ) remember when he built the new Farmacy on 14th and University. I used to stop in there all the time. My deepest condolences to the Family .He was a true Pioneer of the community.
.

The Griffins

July 10, 2018

Dear Julie and Mark,

Our condolences from the Griffin family Phyllis, Linda and Stanley. Your father was a great man and strong advocate for the people he served in Des Moines and we suspect a wider circle than just the capitol of Iowa. He was a ground breaker in our eyes and we owe him much as he supported us in the loss of our mother and father. May he rest in peace for he was loved. We shall miss him.

Floyd Shepherd

July 10, 2018

My heart and prayers go out to the family of Marion Wlliams he was more then a friend to me he was also my mentor. Well versed in the word of god and gospel and teaching of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. His work in men's ministry in the Des Moines community is well noted and leaves a void that will be very hard to fill. He was loved and respected in the Des Moines community and also by the Shepherd. May you Rest In Peace my Brother. Floyd Shepherd Sr

Wanda Dudley

July 10, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Reggie Bell

July 10, 2018

Mr. Williams, always had a gracious smile and a kind word to any human being that passed his way. I last saw Mr. Williams at the Omega Luther T. Glanton Youth Banquet. I reminded him that I was a friend of his daughter Julie, and had went to school with Julie at KU. He was so proud of her and had told me she had been selected to KU's Outstanding Alumni list. Mr. Williams was a mentor to many and a friend to all. I thank God for him allowing our paths to cross.

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