Rev. John Arthur "Artie" Williams Sr.

The Reverend John Arthur "Artie" Williams Sr., departed this Life to be with his Lord on April 3, 2006. He was born eighth of nine children on Sept. 2, 1933 in Roseton, N.Y. His parents, Junius and Clydia Williams relocated to Newburgh, N.Y. where Artie was educated in the public school system.

In 1951, Artie graduated from the Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) and joined the US Army that same year. He was assigned to the Army Airborne Division and honorably discharged in 1954.

On Dec. 29, 1956, he was united in holy matrimony to the former Vernola Gaynell Sharpe and they were blessed with seven children. In June 1956, after receiving God's call to preach the Gospel, Artie, now Rev. Williams, was ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church and faithfully served the church until he and his family relocated to Harrisburg, Pa. Before leaving Newburgh in 1973, he received the Newburgh NAACP Award in recognition of his past achievements and service to the Newburgh Community.

In 1962, Artie received his Bachelor Degree in theology from the Manhattan Bible Institute of Manhattan, N.Y. He continued his religious education throughout his life.

From 1956 until 1966, Artie worked for State of Newburgh as a furniture upholsterer. In 1966, he joined the ranks of IBM in the New York and he later relocated with the company to Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1933, after 27 years of dedicated service, Artie retired from IBM.

Artie's retirement was anything but inactive. He joined and was a presiding officer of a local senior citizen's bowling league, enjoyed bicycle riding, received his locksmith's license, improved his computer skills, learned to play the piano, continued his traditional and religious education, remained in good standing of the Washington, D.C. Baptist Convention and still enjoyed his many do-it-yourself projects.

Rev. Williams devoted his last years to the Prayer and Praise Family of Washington, D.C.

His parents, one sister, Katie and seven brothers, Elmer, Alfred, Maurice, James, J. Otto, Thomas and Lawrence, all preceded him to the Lord.

Artie leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 49 years, Vernola Sharpe Williams; three sons, Quintell Sharpe (JoAnn) of Harrisburg, Pa., Jahn Williams Jr. (Annett) of Fremont, Calif., and Reginald Williams (Maya) of Bowie, Md.; four daughters, Shelly Sharpe Arlington (Ronald) of Hyattesville, Md., Satina Williams of Baltimore, Md., Leona Williams of Hyattesville, Md., and Arlissa Williams Fluellen of Hampton, Va.; five grandsons, Jerome, Justin, Kenneth, Jarred Arthur and Ian Arthur; five granddaughters, Fallon Courtney, Madeleine, Tess and Catherine; one great-granddaughter, Kalea Renee; three foster brothers, David Adam (Lynn) of New York, N.Y., Joseph Adams of Newburgh and Octavius Graham (Anne Marie) of Middletown; a brother-in-law Reginald Sharpe of New York, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law Lois Williams of Silver Springs, Md. and Florence Williams of Yorktown, Va.; one aunt, Sally Sharpe of Newburgh; and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of precious friends. He also leaves to cherish his memory, Rev. and Mrs. Gregory Trueheart and the Baptist Church Family and Praise Family.

Visitation will be held on Tues. April 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First St., Newburgh. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. in the church, with the Rev. George H. Smith officiating.

Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middlehope.

Arrangements are by Brutus W. Hodge Funeral Home, 13 Chamber St., Newburgh.