Nathaniel E. Williams

1928 - 2017

Bishop Nathaniel E. Williams, went home to be with the Lord on June 8, 2017. He was born July 16, 1928, to the late Mr. Lucious Williams and Mrs. Annie (England) Williams in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. During his formative years, Nathaniel worked on the family farm with his siblings, tilling the land, tending to the livestock and helping with the harvest. It was during this time of year he would develop his salesmanship skills while selling fruits and vegetables downtown. When the harvest season was over, he took on another job shining shoes. As an inspiring entrepreneur, even at this early age, his produce would always sell-out and he could put one of the toughest shines on your shoes when given the chance. Nathaniel was an avid basketball player. His teammates knew who to get the ball to when they needed points. He also enjoyed drama and participated in many school plays. After graduating from Berkeley Training High School, in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, he enlisted in the United States Army as part of the medical corp and served his country for three years. Growing up in the south, you just weren't cool if you didnt have a nickname. Nathaniel became known as "Tan" to his friends. After moving up north, he became known as "Nat" on the east side and "Nate" on the west side of Brockton. After his serving in the Army, he then faced a decision of whether to plan a future in dentistry or to become a brick mason. As he describes it, "I had intended to study dentistry, but then I fell in love with my wife (Mary) and decided to stay home and become a brick mason." In 1951, he married the former Mary Coaxum and moved to Brockton, and they would later have four children, Nathaniel Jr., Donald, Michael, and Vera Lynn Williams. Before entering the ministry, Nathaniel, along with Oscar McNeil, formed the Nat and Oscar Construction Company in Brockton. They were well known throughout the Brockton area for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. This company was successful and thrived for many years. As a grown man battling a sudden and severe illness, he cried out and gave his heart to the Lord on January 16, 1962. He joined the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church and immersed himself in the word of God. He became a Sunday school teacher, missionary, and deacon. He began his preaching ministry in 1964, and was ordained an Elder in 1968. After the sudden death of Pastor Bessie Phelmore, he accepted the call to the pastorate as the next pastor of Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. Despite his success in the construction business, Elder Williams would later answer the call from the Lord to give up his business in order to become a full time pastor. God told him, "If you will take care of my business, I will take care of yours." In his desire to equip himself and to learn more of God's word, Elder Williams enrolled and graduated from Bethel Bible Institute in 1975. He later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 and a Master of Arts degree in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College. He continued his educational pursuit at Boston University School of Theology, earning a Master of Theological Studies. He concluded his education at Trinity Theological Seminary, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Doctor of Ministry degree. His ceaseless dedication to aiding the community was evident through his involvement in various organizations and several Full Gospel Ministries. Elder Williams was founder and President of the Tabernacle of God Fellowship International, Inc., a member of the Brockton Clergy and Citizens Alliance, a member of the Brockton Branch NAACP, President of the Bridgewater House of Correctional Prison Ministry in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and a board member of the United Christian Credit Union in Boston, Massachusetts. He established various outreach ministries which included the St. Joseph Manor and West Acres Nursing Home ministries, and the Bus, Tract and Food Pantry Ministries. In January 1972, he launched the Gospel Hour Broadcast which could be heard every Sunday morning on WBET in Brockton and was broadcasted on WSCC in his hometown of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and on CBC in Barbados, West Indies. His successes in these and other ministries were some of the factors that brought him to be consecrated to the Bishopric in 1986 by the late Bishop James H. Bell and the late Bishop Joseph Bell of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. After 45 years of dedicated service to God, Bishop Williams moved into the retirement stage of the pastorate and was later given the title Pastor Emeritus in February 2012. Full Gospel Tabernacle flourished and prospered under the selfless leadership of Bishop Williams. Yet most importantly of all, countless souls have been saved during his tenure as pastor. Since giving his life to the Lord, Bishop Williams remained steadfast and true, unwavering amid the political correctness of our time, unmoving in his belief of God, and untiring in his service to His people. He preached the unadulterated word of God, all the while winning souls for the Kingdom of God. Due to his humble dedication to attending to the needs of all of God's children throughout the Brockton Community at large, he would later become most affectionately known as the "People's Pastor". Bishop Williams has sons and daughters in the gospel preaching, evangelizing, pastoring and on the domestic and foreign mission fields. His motto was "If I can help somebody as I travel along; if I can cheer somebody with a word or song; if I can show somebody, they are doing wrong, then my living shall not be in vain." The value of this honorable pastor is priceless. After a lengthy illness, God in his infinite wisdom called Bishop Nathaniel E. Williams home to rest. He leaves to embrace his memory, his loving wife of 65 years Mary Williams; three sons, Nathaniel Williams Jr., Donald Williams, and Michael Williams of Brockton, one daughter, Vera Lynn Williams of Marlboro; one grandson, Michael Fleming of Quincy; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Albert Williams, Isaiah Williams, Samuel Williams, Arthur Williams, Jacob Williams and Harold Williams; and his sisters Viola Moultrie, Evelyn Williams, Elouise Flarisee, and Sarah Heyward; and his half-brothers Joe Williams and Walter Williams. Visitation will take place on Friday, June 16, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. in the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, 452 Main St., Brockton. Bishop Williams funeral service will be on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church. To send a condolence to the family please visit www.d-mfh.com. Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 647 Main St., Brockton 508-586- 4391