Bill Text: MS HR15 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mr. Tommie Lee Williams, Sr.; commend life and legacy upon his passing.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-11 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR15 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-HR15-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Denton
House Resolution 15
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF TOMMIE LEE WILLIAMS, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Tommie Lee Williams, Sr., to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the Vicksburg Community lost a wonderful friend, community leader, Christian, civil rights activist and humanitarian on December 14, 2014, with the passing of Mr. Williams, who was born on January 6, 1926, to the late George Ceasar Williams and Josie Carter Green Williams; and
WHEREAS, after working in a defense plant in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mr. Williams bravely entered the armed forces and attained the rank of T-5 Corporal in the Division of the Signal Corps as part of the outstanding Buffalo Unit, and in 1946, received an honorable discharge with numerous medals of recognition, which he earned while serving in Rhineland, Eastern Europe; and
WHEREAS, on September 7, 1948, Mr. Williams married the love of his life, Frances Pearline Miller, whom he cherished every day of their sixty-six year marriage; and
WHEREAS, after his honorable service in the armed forces, Mr. Williams became the first African American, independent, self-employed, licensed master plumber in Vicksburg, which allowed for other African American plumbers to attain their apprenticeship and journeyman's training under him as he paved the way for future generations; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as a master plumber, Mr. Williams installed plumbing for many facilities, including the Crawford Street United States Post Office, and for many prominent families in the Vicksburg area; and
WHEREAS, while his primary job was plumbing, Mr. Williams never stopped working to improve his community, having led the effort to have streets paved and to bring gas and sewers to his community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams volunteered his time and energy for any cause that needed his help, and his efforts: including working to have the breakfast program established in public schools, initiating a door-to-door campaign advocating for school integration, sponsoring a local cub scout troop and block parties for neighborhood children; and
WHEREAS, even losing his eyesight in 1967 and having to travel to Hines VA Hospital for the Blind in Hines, Illinois, to learn new skills and how to function in a sightless world did not impede Mr. Williams' community service efforts; and
WHEREAS, upon his return from Hines, Mr. Williams began providing emergency social services for citizens in the Vicksburg community and aiding other blind individuals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams' humanitarian philanthropy began with receiving donated clothes from a closing thrift store before founding We Care Community Services, Inc., in 1975, which provided GED programs, afterschool tutoring programs, summer enrichment programs for youth, job training, immunization outreach, payee services through the Social Security Administration, housing counseling, a food pantry for the hungry, a free clothes closet and a thrift store for the needy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was an active member of many prominent organizations, including the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, VFW and the Kiwanis Club; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams' civic engagement included being a member of the Concerned Citizens Organization, which was designed to ensure justice in Vicksburg and helped to stage a boycott for the betterment of that community, leading voter registration drives, and taking an active role with the Council of Federated Organizations, which was a coalition of federated organizations engaged in civil rights activities within Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Williams' memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: devoted wife, Frances Pearline Miller Williams; children, Yvonne Williams Friday (James), Dr. Adena Williams Loston (Gilbert, Jr.), Lt. Col. Tommie Lee Williams, Jr., Perla Williams Lemon (Tyrol), and Robert T. Williams, Sr., (Sharon); eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless and caring nature of an individual of the esteemed caliber as that of Mr. Williams:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and legacy of Tommie Lee Williams, Sr., and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Tommie Lee Williams, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
