Raymond Eugene Williams

                                           “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 was Bro. Raymond Eugene Williams favorite verse. He went home to be with the Lord on August 23, 2015 at the age of 84.

Raymond was born on August 6, 1931 in Florala, AL to Emanuel and Tressie Williams. He had two brothers, Gene and Jack. He was married to Margaret Jane McKee on March 17, 1951 and had two sons, Johnny Ray and Mark. 

Raymond served active duty in the United States Army National Guard from approximately 1950 to 1966 retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He accepted Christ into his life in 1966 and had an exceptional passion to serve Christ for the rest of his life. He was ordained as a deacon at Caney Creek Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs, FL and served as choir director. He traveled with the choir and played guitar. He grew in knowledge and achieved bachelors and masters degrees in theology. In 1980 he was awarded a PhD in Theology from Clarksville School of Theology in Clarksville, TN. In 1974 he became the interim pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Crestview, FL, and accepted the position permanently in 1975. He became the pastor at New Beginnings Church in Crestview in 1993 where he served as pastor and shepherd until he retired on March 16, 2014.

Raymond Eugene Williams is survived by his wife, Margaret Jane McKee Williams, son, Mark Eugene Williams, daughter-in-law, Amanda Nicole Mioduszewski Williams, three grand children, Trenten Michael Williams, Tanner Ray Williams and Makenzie Emma Williams, and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Emmanual Pedro Williams and Tressie Maybell Preocher Williams, his son, Johnny Ray Williams, and brothers Gene Edwin Williams and James Jack Williams.

Upon remembering her husband, Margaret reflected on his dream to take her to Hawaii which he achieved after 50 years of marriage. She said, 'Those were happy times.'

Bro. Raymond will be remembered by so many that he has touched over the years; in a high-five to a child or that whistle from around the corner. He loved everyone. One of his favorite things to say was “Jesus is right for whatever is wrong in your life.” It was his desire that all would come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and he would often end his messages by quoting Romans 10: 9-10. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If asked what we should do in his absence he would likely tell us to “Keep on keeping on.”

Services will be held at New Beginnings Church on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 2:00pm with visitation on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 6-8pm at New Beginnings. He will be buried at Caney Creek Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs, FL.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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