Melvin Junior Williams

Melvin Junior Williams, 71, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1pm at Community Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Friday, February 22, 2026 from 4pm to 6pm at Griffin Mortuary. Melvin Junior Williams, affectionately known as “Big Melvin,” was born on October 20, 1954, in Olton, Texas. He was the oldest of eleven siblings, a role he carried with strength and pride throughout his life. He grew up in Odessa and Mansfield, Texas, where he formed the values of hard work, loyalty, and deep family connection that would define him.

Melvin honorably served his country in the United States Army, a commitment that reflected his steady and dependable spirit. He dedicated 30 years of service to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal as a forklift driver, where his strong work ethic and reliability earned the respect of many. After his time there, he continued working with Advance Lumber Service and later with Sodexo until his retirement. In retirement, Melvin truly embraced the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed watching sports and classic Western movies, often spending hours enjoying his favorite teams and timeless films.

Above all, he loved his family. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the center of his world. Known lovingly as Paw Paw, he had a special bond with each of them. His arms were always ready to hold a baby, and his heart was always open. It was no secret that when it came to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they could get away with just about anything. His presence was steady, his love unwavering, and his legacy lives on in the family he cherished so deeply.

Melvin is preceded in death by his grandparents Lorraine Sheffield, Opal Mae Jones, and Early Williams, parents Melvin Williams Sr. and Clarise Sheffield, siblings (sisters) Opal Mae Williams, Brenda Williams-Harrison, and Cecelia Williams-Robinson, and daughter Shemika Williams.

Melvin is survived by his wife Blenda Williams, his daughter Denise Williams (Derrick), his sons Melvin Williams III (Giselle) and Lil Melvin Williams III, sisters Rosa Nell Williams, Teresa Williams, and Eleanor Caro (Curtis), his brothers Julius Williams, Bobby Williams, Robert Taylor, and David Taylor, his grandchildren Kemadrick Williams, Ziakel Williams, Mia Williams, Karter Williams, Shamardrick Tipton, Shamesha Tipton, Lil Billy Price, Malik Williams, Makalah Williams, Ramey Williams, Mehki Williams, Lyanna Anderson, Easton Barnes, and Ariah Barnes, his great grandchildren Ky’Leeyah Hicks, Kaia Williams, Kyrie Williams, Kamoura Williams, Armani Jackson, Jamarion Acy, Malani Williams, Jersey Williams, and Nehemiah Williams, and a host of other relatives and friends.