Ezra Williams

Mr. Lemuel Ezra Williams, age 90, of Blackshear, passed away Monday morning (5/2/22) at his residence following an extended illness.

Born June 20, 1931 in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Nathan Ezra and Minnie Watson Williams. He lived all of his life in Pierce County and was a graduate of Blackshear High School. He worked several years as a bookkeeper and teller for The Blackshear Bank before working for CSX Transportation in Waycross as an electrician, retiring in 1992 as a supervisor.  

He was also a contractor, building many houses over the years. Following his retirement, he was the owner of Custom Cabinets. He was responsible for the cabinets in the Pierce County Courthouse, many at First Baptist Church in Blackshear, desks and cabinets at CSX, and all the dining tables of the southeast Georgia Captain Joe’s Restaurants.

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear. He was also a University of Georgia Athletics Booster Club Member and season ticket holder for over 40 years, a longtime NASCAR fan, and an avid Bill Elliott supporter.  

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Frances Strickland Williams; two sisters, Margaret Godwin and Rozella Anderson; 3 half-brothers, Layman Williams, Linton Earl Williams, and Nathan Lyndahl Williams; and 4 half-sisters, Ineeta Williams Brewton, Unalee Williams Anderson, Ruth Kicklighter, and Gladys Bevill; and a favored nephew, Odean Williams.

Survivors include his 4 children, Brenda Luke (husband Travis), Lewis Williams (wife Rhonda), Sonia Crawford, and Nathan Williams (wife Krystal), all of Blackshear; 10 grandchildren, Brandie Lee (husband Kevin) of Blackshear, Emilie Harrell of Jacksonville, Justin Luke (wife Andrea) of Oak Ridge, TN, Matthew Williams (wife Kalin) of Blackshear, Jacob Williams (Megan Hall) of Blackshear, Brian Crawford (Amy Tomlinson) of Albany, Megan Crawford of Blackshear, Clay Williams (wife Chelsea) of Waynesboro, GA, and Ryan Kemp of Blackshear, Trent Williams of Blackshear; 20 great grandchildren; 4 sisters, Velma Williams of Blackshear, Llene Deal of Blackshear, Joyce Hyers of Brunswick, and Katherine Bohannon of Blackshear; a brother-in-law, Clinton Godwin of Blackshear; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Thursday afternoon (5/5/22) at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening (5/4/22) from 6-8 p.m.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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