Foster Williams Jr

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Foster Williams

A Servant of God * A Beloved Husband & Father *

A Veteran * A Master Musician & Guitarist

F oster Williams Jr. known to most as " Jake "was born in Pomaria, South Carolina on May 12, 1935 to the late Foster Sr. and Ethel Williams. Foster was the oldest son of eight children and loved his family dearly. He departed this life on Sunday, January 25th, 2026 in Irmo, SC peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and friends.

Foster attended elementary school at New Hope School. In 2025, he, his wife, and family visited the National Museum of African American Culture & History in Washington, D.C., where a historical exhibit features the school. The exhibit highlights the school desk artifact, a symbol of how African Americans literally built educational institutions from the ground up. Due to the underfunding of segregated Black schools.

Later, he was a member of the first graduating class at Gallman High School following the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. Even through his early years, Foster exemplified the traits of a trailblazer by becoming the first African American Bus Driver in Pomaria, SC.

On December 10, 1957, Foster Williams enlisted and served with the United States Army and stayed until his honorable discharge. Years to follow, he made a bold decision to move to New York City ,NY driven by his entrepreneurial spirit which led him to owning a cab business in the Bronx, NY and becoming a self taught auto-mechanic. He was so proficient with his trade that Jake landed a career with the United States Postal Service working as the "sole specialist" building transmissions for all the postal trucks in New York.

Jake had a great passion for music and loved playing the guitar. This passion led him to form his own band, "Caprice," and proudly manage his niece, Yvette Davis. She sang in his jazz club, performed on Broadway in New York, and they toured their hit song "100%," which can still be heard on the radio today. He also served the church through his musical gifts, which brought him joy.

Jake loved to reminisce and share stories from his life. He often spoke about his childhood, including working on the farm - plowing the mule, and walking miles to school, often having to start fires along the way to keep warm. He cherished the genuine love he had for his family and stressed the importance of staying together. Other treasured memories included talking about his grandmother, his mother Ethel, learning to fix cars at a young age, cutting hair with his father, and his bold decision to move to New York for better opportunities.

He was a true steward of the Lord who through his unspoken selfless acts of love and service from the heart never seeked recognition for helping friends and family throughout his lifetime which most can attest to. With no judgement, he provided employment to the jobless, food and shelter to the homeless and hope for the hopeless especially those struggling with addictions.

Foster was preceded in death by 7 siblings – Eddie Cecil (1975), Louis Harold (1995), Charles Steve (1996), Patricia Williams (2001), Imogene Davis (2011), Donnie Phillip (2017), Annette Lane (2023), half sister Virgina LittleJohn & Inez "Bae"Pearson (2004 sister-niece), 1 son – Roger and 1 daughter – Kim Williams.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory his wife Eva Christine Hyman-Williams (who he lovingly called his "sweet young tender"), Stan Williams (brother-nephew),1 son - Jef ery Williams and 4 daughters – Jacqelyn Hickman, Brenda Williams, Tanya Lassiter (Joseph), Noelle Hyman (Courtland Sterling). 13 Grandchildren – Kevin Hickman, Sean Hickman, Joc Hickman, Marcus Hickman, Anthony Corey Pouge (Hika), Tif any Ferguson, Arron Pogue, Kalin Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Joseph Lassiter Jr., Robert Anthony Lassiter, Taylor Christine Lassiter and youngest grandchild William Sterling Faulden (known as his buddy).

4 great-grandchildren – Aiva Pouge, Anaysha Pouge, Tiaga Pouge, Ayame Pouge

He also leaves behind a host of several nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.

Sorrowfully Submitted The Family

Visitation will be held 12-5pm Friday, February 6, 2026, Wilson Funeral Home Newberry, SC.

Funeral service will be conducted 1pm Saturday, February 7, 2026, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Chapin, SC.

Interment will follow at St. Mark AME Church Cemetery Pomaria, SC.

Wilson Funeral Home is honored to assist the Williams family.