Roosevelt Williams, Jr.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

Our beloved Roosevelt Williams, Jr. was born the second child of O.D. and Roosevelt Williams, Sr. in Tucson, Arizona on July 31, 1945. Losing his parents at an early age, he was raised by his grandparents, Elese and Richard Walker. In his younger years, he attended Rosenwald School and graduated from Simmons High in 1963. Roosevelt continued his education by attending Arkansas Baptist College and Ouachita Baptist University where he graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree. He was a devoted member of Harrison Chapel Baptist Church in Delight, Arkansas until his passing.

 Roosevelt married his love, Sally Williams on August 23, 1969. The couple was blessed with three children, Tanyoka, Nicole, and Nicholas. 

 Roosevelt taught and coached at Simmons High School and Chidester High School. Roosevelt enlisted in the United States Marines Corps Reserve and later the United States Army Reserve where he served his country until he retired in 1994. Over the past five decades, Roosevelt worked for Arkansas Children’s Colony, Tyson Foods, and Firestone Building Products where he retired after 20 years in May 2007.

 Alongside his wife, Roosevelt worked diligently to provide and ensure that all of their children grew up equipped to handle whatever obstacles the world threw at them. He always lived by the motto of his elementary school “ Do your best today for we only pass this way but once”. And with the same work ethic and determination he carried with him, Roosevelt saw the blossoming of all of his children and grandchildren. “PawPaw”, as they called him, doted on each of his seven grandchildren. They were truly a blessing to him; Each has a fond and enjoyable memory; Tanea (NeaRea)-watermelon, Sydney (Syd The Kid)-Vienna Sausages, Robin Tailer (TayTay)-fruit, Robert (Buddy)-riding lawn mower, Makenzye (Kenzye Kat)-pear trees, LilliAnn (Lilli Bean)-Extra Bubble Gum and Liam (My Riding Buddy)-Pecans. 

 On February 3, 2021, our Lord called upon Roosevelt to return from his time of service on this Earth.

 Roosevelt was preceded in death by his parents, O.D. and Roosevelt Williams, Sr.; grandparents, Elese and Richard Walker and Ben Furlow; sister, Cora Williams; in-laws Rosie Lee Jones and Hugh Whitfield. He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Sally Williams; three children, Tanyoka (Larry) Hester of Newark, NJ, Nicole (A.J.) Bienusa of Fort Worth, TX and Nicholas Williams of Chicago, Il: seven grandchildren, Tanea NeKole Thomas of Little Rock, AR, Sydney Paige Nunely, Robin Tailer Nunley, PFC. Robert Exavyer Nunley, Makenzye Elese Nunley, LilliAnn Faith Nunley of Fort Worth, TX and Liam Evan Hester of Newark, NJ; one great-granddaughter, Mila Perry Shelton of Little Rock, AR; beloved aunts, Rosie Jean Thomas and Minnie Ola Furlow; sisters-in-law, Catherine Reed, Mildred Payne, Ruby Hollinger, and Jereline Thomas; special sisters; Maude Nelson, Betty Hunter, and Margaret Burton as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Each forever touched by his kindness and unwavering dedication to everyone he held dear. 

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