In 1955, at a small church in Massillon, Ohio, a seven-year-old boy was hoisted atop a chair. There, he called a text and preached to the congregation. Thus began the ministry of Walter Bernard Williams, the man we celebrate today. Known to his mother, Odell Williams, family and friends as "Billy", Pastor Williams had an active childhood in Canton, Ohio. He excelled in athletics, participating in track & field, football, and basketball (where he set the record for rebounds in one game) for Timken High School. He was a member of Old Northeast COGIC and later God Given COGIC under the leadership of Elder Flanders Gillems.

After high school, Pastor Williams served in the United States Army. He became an ordained Elder in the COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Robert S. Fields, Jurisdictional Prelate of Ohio North in 1974, and he served as Vice-President of the State YPWW. He joined the National Finance team in 1979 and remained faithful for 40 years. But the highlight of his young adulthood was marrying the love of his life, Lena Rufene Lancaster, on June 24, 1972. Together they had three beautiful children, Radia, Walter II, and Tasa. This union was truly made in Heaven. Earlier this year, they celebrated fifty-two years of living, loving, laughing, crying, supporting one another through tragedies and triumphs, and ministering to God's people together!

Pastor Williams has always been an innovator. He co-founded Zuri Records (a local record shop in the city if Canton), co-founded Off the Streets with Bishop Clifford L. Kimbrough, a ministry that reached countless teens, churched and unchurched, giving them a safe place to fellowship. He started the very first church basketball league in the City of Canton. He also worked out a deal with the local skating rink to reserve times for All-Gospel skating parties. Pastor Williams was always thinking of ways to draw young people to Christ, meeting them where they were. Even now, men and women all over the city remember his influence and the kindness he and Sister Williams showed them, especially those who were "rough around the edges". He always had a place for them in his ministry. He co-founded C.A.R.E. (Community Action through Religious Education) Christian Academy, a private Christian School in 1987, to provide a college preparatory, culturally relevant Christian education to students in the community. He served as the administrator and Sister Lena as the principal for over twenty-five years. Over thirty students have graduated from C.A.R.E., many of whom matriculated to colleges and universities all over the United States.

Pastor Williams, with his wife and children by his side, founded Christ Memorial COGIC, later called Unity Life Fellowship, in April of 1980. He would often joke that his wife and children were his only members at first, the youngest, a 6-week-old baby, sleeping in her carrier as her mom played the piano at the YWCA in Canton, Ohio. But in those early days, he preached like the house was full! Soon they were joined by others, who came from various walks of life, some who had never gone to church before. They found a home because of the love that was shown to them. The church grew and evolved, and the seeds that were planted in that ministry have blossomed all over the world!

Pastor Williams served as the Senior Pastor of Unity Life Fellowship/Wells of Joy COGIC (Canton, Ohio) and Emmanuel COGIC (Steubenville, Ohio). He was also a Director/Administrative Assistant in the Ohio North First Jurisdiction, under the leadership of Bishop Edward T. Cook, Jurisdictional Prelate.

So many things can be said about Pastor Walter B. Williams, an anointed preacher, brilliant teacher, wonderful husband and father, dedicated servant, faithful friend, warrior for the Gospel, a leader, trailblazer, and on and on. But if you run into a young man in his early 30s, who attended C.A.R.E., he will tell you Elder is a cool dude who got him together when he was going down the wrong path. A single mom might tell you, Pastor and Sister Williams loved on her children, bought groceries for her family, encouraged her to live for God AND go back to school. Everyone who knows him has a different story, but they all share one feature: he has shown people what it means to be a living epistle.

Pastor Walter Bernard Williams crossed into eternity on Monday, October 14, 2024, after an extended illness. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Radia Orion (Brian Lewis), his mother, Odell Williams, and brother, Wilbur Lee (Charlotte) Williams. He leaves to cherish his precious memory, his wife, Lady Lena Williams, his son and namesake, Walter Bernard II, his daughter, Tasa, and his sister, Linda Patterson, 3 grandchildren/one great-grandson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. Take your rest, Pastor! Job Well Done!