Griffin Speaks

IN MEMORY OF LEWIS WILLIAMS

On Tuesday, March 21, 2006 my fellow church member Lewis Williams died when an eighteen wheeler traveling on Interstate 65 hit him while he was retrieving a ladder that fell off the back of his pick-up truck. He was 62 years old. Lewis had just left his close friend Dr. Joe L. Reed fifteen minutes earlier. In fact Dr. Joe Reed had a flat tire and was calling Lewis for help around the same time the accident occurred. Lewis Williams Thanksgiving Service and Celebration was held on Saturday, March 25, 2006 at Community Congregational United Church of Christ 3841 South Court Street Montgomery, Alabama. Rev. Terry L. McCreary officiated and delivered the Eulogy. Eulogistic reflections were given by Dr. William Brock Sr., Vice President Institutional Advancement (ASU), Dr. Ralph Bryson (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity), Dr. Joe L. Reed (Associate Executive Secretary (Alabama Education Association). Reverend Dorinda Broadnax, Associate Pastor, Community Congregational United Church of Christ delivered a prayer of comfort. The legendary and artistic musician Ron Handy provided the music.

Lewis Williams was born on June 1, 1943 in Tampa, Florida to the parents of Doris Williams Newton and Willie Williams. When he was 14 years old his father died, leaving several siblings for his mother to raise alone. He confessed Christ at an early age and was a founding member of Community United Church of Christ until he died.

Lewis graduated with honors from Middleton High School in Tampa, Florida. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Sociology & Social Work from Fort Valley State College in Georgia in 1968. He excelled in sports as a Defensive Half-Back on the football team and played first base and pitcher on the baseball team which earned him highest rank in the All Conference Athletic in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Upon graduating from college he entered the United States Army for two years, where he served in Elspe, West Germany. In 1970 he entered Graduate School at Tuskegee University, earning a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling and Student Personnel Services. He later completed a second Masters in Criminal Justice from Auburn University. He has been employed at Alabama State University since 1971. During his tenure at Alabama State University, he served as Director of Testing and Psychological Services, and Grant Writer & Developer of Community-Based Education Initiatives under the Division of Planning and Institutional Advancement.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years Dr. Maudie M. Price Williams, and many other loving friends and family.

Why did God allow such a horrible thing to happen to Lewis Williams such a fine person? That is an age-old question. We all have picked up the paper and read horrific stories of young people killed in accidents on their way to their wedding or returning home from the prom. Where do we go for answers? It is difficult for many to hold onto their faith when good people such as Lewis Williams are the victim of bad things.

When I learned of this tragedy I again went to my bible and read the book of Job. The unfair suffering of Job reveals the suffering of Jesus. In the midst of prolong suffering Job refused to curse god. I finally accepted the fact that I have no idea why God allows bad things to happen to good people. I am comforted with a passage from (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV): “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Most of us do not know the day or the hour that our life or the life of our love ones will end. We should always live each day as if it were our last. You should never go to bed angry with someone that you love. The only guarantee in life is the breath you just took.