Obituary for Lehman D Williams
Lehman D. Williams, lovingly known as L.D. or Bill, was born September 14, 1925 in Natchez, Mississippi, the only child of Lehman Williams Sr. and Beatrice Elzie Williams. His mother died shortly after his birth and his maternal grandmother; Virginia Zerkowski Elzie became the mother he lost. His grandfather, Henry Elzie, until his early passing, helped to raise young Bill.
For his safety and a better life, Bill’s grandmother sent him to Chicago to live with her daughter, Aunt Evelyn. Soon after, his grandmother, her daughter Aunt Bessie and granddaughter Willie Evelyn joined Bill and Aunt Evelyn in Chicago. Bill began his formal education at Willard and Forrestville Schools in Chicago’s Grand Boulevard Community. To help support his family, Bill worked odd jobs wherever he could. He washed dishes, unloaded railroad cars and ran errands for merchants. When he was older he pressed vinyl records for the DECCA label and worked for a jeweler on Chicago’s Jewelers Row.
While riding the train to the Great Lakes Naval Base he met Mamie Lee Moore and they married in 1945. Bill and Mamie were hired at the University of Chicago, moved from their tiny kitchenette apartment and purchased a home in Chicago’s Chatham Community. They took great pride in their home, loved to entertain and travel whenever possible. Bill’s mother-in-law, Mamie Ella Tracy, “Mother” as she was affectionately called, moved in after the passing of her husband. When Bill’s wife passed in 1985, he and “Mother” lived in the house until her health began to fail in 1990. Bill remained devoted to the well-being of his mother-in-law, visiting her every week at the nursing home, until her passing in 1995.
Bill confessed his love, faith and hope in Jesus Christ at a very early age. He served as a Deacon at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls. After moving to their new home, Bill and Mamie joined Maryland Avenue Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. D.D. Clay and Rev. H. Norwood. At Maryland Avenue Baptist Church (MABC), Bill served as a Deacon, Treasurer and sat on the Official Board of Directors. After many years at MABC, the Holy Spirit led Bill to join the Apostolic Church of God (ACOG) under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Arthur M. Brazier and Rev. Dr. Byron T. Brazier. In April 1998, Bill participated in the first class of the ACOG Men’s Ministry Discipleship. He became a Seasoned Saint of the church and remained a faithful member until his passing.
April 8, 1954, Bill was initiated and became a Master Mason of the Prince Hall Affiliation Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of the Fidelity Lodge No. 103, F. & A.M. He was extremely proud of his membership and what it meant to be a Master Mason.
After 25 years of service, Bill retired from the University of Chicago in 1986 and was always on the go. Every Sunday he would be in church all day and Wednesday evenings attend Bible Study. He served on various ministries and had a great time at church events. He loved riding the train and would travel to Mississippi to visit his father, Lehman Sr., his brother, Joseph and other family members. Joseph’s daughters and their families brought Bill much joy as he loved being their Uncle L.D. and they loved him in return. Bill enjoyed working out at the South Side YMCA with his buddies and taking bus trips across the country. He always found time to be with friends, hang out with his nephew, Marcus and take road trips with his daughter, Cindy with whom he had a special bond. It was Bill’s mission that everyone should enjoy life. If you weren’t having a good time or laughing until you cried then you weren’t talking with Bill. Even at your lowest point, he would find a way to lift you up. If you needed help, he would lend a helping hand. He donated to every charity that asked so that he could make a difference in some else’s life.
After shattering his hip on February 3, 2021, he continued to be as strong as he could, sparking happiness in others and being a little feisty whenever allowed. On March 26, 2021, with his daughter, Cindy holding his hand, Bill left this earthly world. He had a wonderful life and fought a good fight for 95 years. His Father told him “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” and called Bill home to be with Him.
He leaves to mourn his loving daughter, Cynthia Jenkins-Powell, granddaughter, Valarie Griffin-Geralds, his first cousin, Willie Evelyn Woodson, grandsons, Antoine Powell and Adam Powell (Murjani), great-grandson, Adam Powell, Jr. , and generations of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of long-time and new friends.
For his safety and a better life, Bill’s grandmother sent him to Chicago to live with her daughter, Aunt Evelyn. Soon after, his grandmother, her daughter Aunt Bessie and granddaughter Willie Evelyn joined Bill and Aunt Evelyn in Chicago. Bill began his formal education at Willard and Forrestville Schools in Chicago’s Grand Boulevard Community. To help support his family, Bill worked odd jobs wherever he could. He washed dishes, unloaded railroad cars and ran errands for merchants. When he was older he pressed vinyl records for the DECCA label and worked for a jeweler on Chicago’s Jewelers Row.
While riding the train to the Great Lakes Naval Base he met Mamie Lee Moore and they married in 1945. Bill and Mamie were hired at the University of Chicago, moved from their tiny kitchenette apartment and purchased a home in Chicago’s Chatham Community. They took great pride in their home, loved to entertain and travel whenever possible. Bill’s mother-in-law, Mamie Ella Tracy, “Mother” as she was affectionately called, moved in after the passing of her husband. When Bill’s wife passed in 1985, he and “Mother” lived in the house until her health began to fail in 1990. Bill remained devoted to the well-being of his mother-in-law, visiting her every week at the nursing home, until her passing in 1995.
Bill confessed his love, faith and hope in Jesus Christ at a very early age. He served as a Deacon at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls. After moving to their new home, Bill and Mamie joined Maryland Avenue Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. D.D. Clay and Rev. H. Norwood. At Maryland Avenue Baptist Church (MABC), Bill served as a Deacon, Treasurer and sat on the Official Board of Directors. After many years at MABC, the Holy Spirit led Bill to join the Apostolic Church of God (ACOG) under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Arthur M. Brazier and Rev. Dr. Byron T. Brazier. In April 1998, Bill participated in the first class of the ACOG Men’s Ministry Discipleship. He became a Seasoned Saint of the church and remained a faithful member until his passing.
April 8, 1954, Bill was initiated and became a Master Mason of the Prince Hall Affiliation Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of the Fidelity Lodge No. 103, F. & A.M. He was extremely proud of his membership and what it meant to be a Master Mason.
After 25 years of service, Bill retired from the University of Chicago in 1986 and was always on the go. Every Sunday he would be in church all day and Wednesday evenings attend Bible Study. He served on various ministries and had a great time at church events. He loved riding the train and would travel to Mississippi to visit his father, Lehman Sr., his brother, Joseph and other family members. Joseph’s daughters and their families brought Bill much joy as he loved being their Uncle L.D. and they loved him in return. Bill enjoyed working out at the South Side YMCA with his buddies and taking bus trips across the country. He always found time to be with friends, hang out with his nephew, Marcus and take road trips with his daughter, Cindy with whom he had a special bond. It was Bill’s mission that everyone should enjoy life. If you weren’t having a good time or laughing until you cried then you weren’t talking with Bill. Even at your lowest point, he would find a way to lift you up. If you needed help, he would lend a helping hand. He donated to every charity that asked so that he could make a difference in some else’s life.
After shattering his hip on February 3, 2021, he continued to be as strong as he could, sparking happiness in others and being a little feisty whenever allowed. On March 26, 2021, with his daughter, Cindy holding his hand, Bill left this earthly world. He had a wonderful life and fought a good fight for 95 years. His Father told him “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” and called Bill home to be with Him.
He leaves to mourn his loving daughter, Cynthia Jenkins-Powell, granddaughter, Valarie Griffin-Geralds, his first cousin, Willie Evelyn Woodson, grandsons, Antoine Powell and Adam Powell (Murjani), great-grandson, Adam Powell, Jr. , and generations of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of long-time and new friends.