"His Lord said unto him “Well done good and faithful servant, thou have been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:23
Rev. (Dr) Wardell Williams was born December 23, 1933 to the late Rev. Peter Blanchard Williams and the Late Alma Lenora Briggs Williams in Tyrawley, Louisiana. He departed this life on July 31, 2020 at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital at 4:18a.m.
In the year of 1945, due to high water, he along with his parents and siblings moved to the Camp Stafford Community known as the Rigolette Community.
He accepted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at a young age, being baptized by the late Rev. Charles McGruder, becoming a member of the First New Light Baptist Church.
Rev. Wardell Williams was educated in the Rapides Parish School System. He attended Peabody High School and furthered his education by taking courses at Leland College in East Baton Rouge, LA. He received his Doctorate Degree from The Theological Seminary in Monroe, LA.
Rev. Wardell always knew he had a calling on his life. He attempted to explain by bargaining with the Lord – You must mean my brother Blanchard, “Not Me”.
Attempting to run, he relocated to Detroit, Michigan for a short span of time. Realizing he had to stop running and surrender to the calling on his life. He had a sense of knowing to be effective at what God called him to do. He needed a wife. While in Detroit, he proposed to the love of his life. She gladly answered “Anytime, anyplace, and anywhere”. With that confirmation, he returned to Louisiana to marry his love.
Rev. Wardell Williams was united in holy matrimony to the late Betty Lou Pierce on February 1, 1958. They were married for 57 years before his wife transitioned on April 2, 2015. To this union two children were born, a daughter-Janice, and a son-Gerald.
Preaching his 1st Sermon on April 11, 1958, his Scripture: Acts 16:25-30, Subject: Do thou want to be saved? He was mentored by the late Dr. E.D. Pierce, he loved to be around older Preachers. He loved to encourage and support younger preachers, allowing them many opportunities. He was a man of great wisdom, humble, confident, compassionate fearless, devoted, bold, always operating in love. Never met a stranger, felt as comfortable in his cover-all’s or over-all’s as he did in his suits. Rev. (Dr.) Wardell also was not afraid to stand for what he believed in, could be rough at times, but he never held grudges. His favorite Mantra was: You are not accountable for how people treat you, but you are accountable for how you treat people. He tried to teach all people on how one should be treated. “When they go low, you go high”. He was a man who made a positive impact on so many, some he really did not know but just having a spirit to help his fellowman.
His motto was “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain”.
Rev. (Dr.) Wardell Williams was employed at Avoyelles Wholesale, being the first black supervisor. He worked to bring Bunkie, Ville Platte, and Natchitoches warehouses into one.
He was later employed by the Rapides Parish School Board Transportation Department, as a Bus Driver for 37 years and substituted for 3 years as needed. Rev. (Dr.) Williams was very active in the integration of schools in the Tioga and Pineville areas. Five years ago, one of his most honored moments was to be appointed Chaplain of the Rapides Parish D.A.’s office by District Attorney Phillip Terrell.
During Rev. (Dr.) Williams 62 years in the ministry he served as Pastor of the Sunlight Baptist Church, Pineville, LA for 6 years, Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, Bayou Rapides for 14 years, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jonesboro, LA for 5 months. At the time of Rev. (Dr.) Williams passing, he was serving at First New Light Baptist Church – 51 years, Lone Star Baptist Church-51 years, and Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church – 40 years.
Rev. (Dr.) Wardell Williams and the late Rev. C.J. Bell were the founders of the City-Wide Revival. These two ministers approached the elder ministers with the idea, and they endorsed it. They were the first to preach in the revival. The first revival was held at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. (Dr.) Wardell was President Emeritus of the Educational Missionary Baptist Association after serving 39 years.
He was Congress Director of the Old Eight Missionary Baptist Association. He served as Vice President of the North District of the Louisiana State Convention. He was a member of the LA Home and Foreign Mission, being honored as a Trailblazer, The National Baptist Convention of America, and having the distinct privilege of preaching in the National Baptist Convention. He was a pillar of the community working years with Cenla Community Action.
Rev. (Dr.) Williams is preceded in death by his loving wife: Betty L. Williams, parents: Rev. and Mrs. Peter Blanchard Williams, brother: Blanchard Williams, sister: Beulah Mae Harper, (2) brothers-in-law, and (1) sister-in-law.
He leaves to cherish his beautiful memories – one loving and devoted daughter: Janice D. (Dennis) Goff, of Pineville, LA, one loving and caring son: Rev. Gerald T. (Angel) Williams, of Richmond, TX, a granddaughter he reared as his own: ChaMicka S. Autry(Nate) of Atlanta, Ga, four more grandchildren: Yokoshimada(Ike) of Kolin, LA, Laura Ann Williams of Los Angeles, CA, Sade (Damon) of Pineville, LA, Gerald T. Williams, Jr. (Danyiella)of Richmond, TX, seven great grandchildren: F”raChema, Kayirian, Bettyia, Frank, Jr., Shydolis, Kondolus, Jr., and Evan, one great great grandchild: Khy’Zlyn, one loving sister: Vivian (AL) Ducre of Gary, IN, one god-sister: Vonda McCobbie, three aunts: Rosanna Earthly, Alexandria, LA, Madeline Ward, Compton, CA, and Cora Lemott, Riverside, CA, one sister-in-law: Nordica Mixon, Conroe, TX, three brothers-in-law: Minister Henry (Verandia) Marsland, Pineville, LA, Eddie (Destria) Pierce and Calvin Pierce, Detroit, MI, two god-children: Ruby G. (Ron) Smith, Pineville, LA, James F. (Kaydesha), Atlanta, GA. Special friends: Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell, Sheriff Mark Wood, Mr. William Earl Hilton, Clergyman, his Sheep (Members), that God allowed him to Pastor, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins-with whom many were like sister and brothers living far and near, and other relatives, and many friends.
Services are scheduled as follows:
Visitation: Friday, August 7, 2020 / 1:30-4:30p.m. at Lone Star Baptist Church Celebration: Friday, August 7, 2020 / 6:00p.m. at New Scott Olly Baptist Church Funeral: Saturday, August 8, 2020 / 11:00a.m. at New Scott Olly Baptist Church Interment; Lone Star Benevolent Cemetery, Pineville, LA
