Roger Williams

Rev. Roger Minear Williams, age 97, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado. A devoted minister, scholar, and family man, Roger lived a life marked by faith, service, and intellectual pursuit.

Born on January 24, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Roger was the son of Raymond T. Williams and Vera Williams. His early years were shaped by discipline and leadership at Morgan Park Military Academy in Morgan Park, Illinois, where he studied from 1941 to 1945 and earned the rank of Brevet Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program.

Roger's academic journey continued with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Logic and Philosophy from Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, Massachusetts (1945-1949). He then pursued his calling to ministry at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, earning a Master of Divinity in 1952. Later in life, he expanded his professional expertise with a Master of Library Science from the University of Oklahoma in Norman (1969-1971), reflecting his lifelong commitment to learning and service.

Roger dedicated two decades to pastoral ministry within the Church of the Nazarene. His early ministry began on a Methodist circuit in Kansas (1950-1952), followed by international service in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (1952) and Calgary, Alberta (1952-1953). He continued his pastoral work across the United States: Freeport, Illinois (1954-1958); Paterson, New Jersey (1958-1963); Peoria, Arizona (1963-1968); and Norman, Oklahoma (1968-1971). In each community he served, Roger brought compassion and spiritual guidance to those around him.

Following his pastoral career, Roger transitioned into academic administration for another twenty years. He served as librarian at Pasadena/Point Loma Nazarene College from 1971 to 1974 before joining Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. There he remained until his retirement in 1995. His work helped shape generations of students preparing for ministry and service.

Roger was married twice during his lifetime-first to Janet Williams for 68 years and later to Evelyn Williams-both of whom preceded him in death. He was a proud father to two daughters: Tracy Hendrick and Trudy Pohawpatchoko. His legacy continues through his grandchildren Chelsey Ingle, Cally Hendrick, Christiana Fubara, and Hudson Hendrick; as well as great-grandchildren Edmond Ingle, Jude Ingle, Dominic Ingle, Mercedes Ingle, Maddox Ingle, Raymond Ingle, Cosette Ingle, Juliana Ingle, Emma Ingle, Joelle Reyes, Hadassah Fubara, Aletheia Fubara, and Sophia Fubara.

Beyond his professional accomplishments and family devotion, Roger found joy in travel and photography. He cherished time spent with others-whether playing games or sharing stories-and approached life with curiosity and warmth.

A man guided by scripture throughout his life's journey, Roger held close the words of Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee." This verse encapsulated what he called "A Worthy Objective"-a guiding principle that shaped both his personal faith and public ministry.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to all who walk paths of faith and service. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 24, 2025, from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM at Sun City Church of the Nazarene, 14636 N Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ 85351

Donations can be made to The Rev Dr Janet S Williams and Rev Roger M Williams Scholarship at Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1700 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64131.