Bill Text: IL HR1029 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Reverend Dr. Eddie R. Williams Jr.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2026-09-14 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Michael Crawford [HR1029 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR1029-Introduced.html

---

HR1029 LRB104 23260 RMO 39731 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend
Dr. Eddie R. Williams Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams, the son of Reverend E.R. Williams
Sr. and Anna Maud Williams, was born in Chicago on January 6,
1945; he committed to his faith at an early age; he graduated
from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and then
attended Ottawa University, where he earned the highest honors
in mathematics, religion, and philosophy; he received his
doctorate from Columbia University in New York; he attended
Union Theological Seminary; he married Shirley Ann King in
1969; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was ordained by his father, the
pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Chicago, in 1968; he
served as assistant pastor from 1972 until his father's
passing in 1997, when he assumed the role of pastor and later
pastor emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams moved to DeKalb to join the faculty
at Northern Illinois University (NIU) as an assistant
professor of mathematics in 1970; he received tenure in the
Department of Mathematics in 1976 and was promoted to

HR1029 - 2 - LRB104 23260 RMO 39731 r
associate professor in 1978; he developed a math course for
disadvantaged students; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams transitioned to a full-time
administrative role when he was named associate director of
the NIU Office of Budget and Planning in 1980; he earned
several promotions, including to the roles of assistant vice
president for administrative affairs, director of budget and
planning, and vice president of finance and planning, before
becoming the university's first African American vice
president with his appointment as chief of operations and
executive vice president of finance and facilities in 2000; he
oversaw the development of 21 new buildings and facilities as
well as seven major building redesigns and renovations,
including projects such as Barsema Hall, the Chilled Water
Plant, and the development of three satellite educational
centers in Rockford, Naperville, and Hoffman Estates; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was a passionate advocate for
students and dedicated himself to the NIU community, providing
leadership, guidance, and support; he was a champion of the
Center for Black Studies, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commons,
and the McKinley "Deacon" Davis CHANCE Program; affectionately
known as "Doc Eddie", he was a devoted fan of the Huskies and
member of the "NBA", or Noontime Basketball Association; he
was the faculty adviser of NIU's Northern Black Choir for 35

HR1029 - 3 - LRB104 23260 RMO 39731 r
years; after 43 years of service to the university, he retired
in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams also committed himself to serving
his country and was commissioned as an officer in the United
States Naval Reserves in 1980; he was promoted several times,
eventually to the rank of captain, and retired from the Naval
Reserves after 27 years of exceptional service in June 2007;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was deeply involved in his
community; he worked alongside his partner and friend, Thomas
A. Rosenow, to establish high-quality affordable housing,
including Garden Estate Townhomes in DeKalb and Pioneer
Village Apartments in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was a pilot and avid bargain hunter
who loved his family, chocolate chip cookies, barbecue,
sports, movies, riding his motorcycle, and, most recently,
boating; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams will be remembered for his smile,
laughter, and spirit as well as his enjoyment of life and
dedication to helping others; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams was preceded in death by his

HR1029 - 4 - LRB104 23260 RMO 39731 r
parents; his brother, Robert Jones; and his wife, Shirley; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williams is survived by his daughter, Karen
(Samuel) Baker; two sons, Dr. Craig (Dr. Carrie) DeWitt
Williams Sr. and Evan (Nikki) Jonathan Williams; his sister,
Dr. Karol Kiermeyer; his brothers, Rev. Eddie R. (Tiffany)
Williams III and Rev. Edmund Randolph Williams; eight
grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family,
and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Reverend Dr. Eddie R. Williams Jr. and
extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all
who knew and loved him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Dr. Williams as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.