Pastor, Edward Hinson Williams, Sr.

PASTOR EDWARD HINSON WILLIAMS, SR. 80 of MONROE, NC passed away Friday, February 15, 2019 at Atrium Health-Hospice of Union County in Monroe, NC.

Funeral Serviceswill be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 503 Maurice St., Monroe, NC.  Interment willfollow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Monroe, NC.

A public viewing will be held 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, February 22, 2019 at Harris Funeral Home & Cremations of Monroe, NC.

Pastor Edward Hinson Williams, Sr., a son of the late Ida Daniel Williams, was born on Friday, April 22, 1938 in Bennettsville, SC.  He went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Edward, affectionately known as Pastor Eddie by his friends and peers, was a loving and very giving man.  He was a great provider and protector for his family.  He cherished the life he shared with his soul mate and best friend, Vashti Williams, whom he was married to for over 57 years.  Witnessing the family that they built together, grow and flourish, always brought him great pride and joy.

Pastor Eddie loved the Lord and did his very best to live a life that was pleasing to God, Even before he became a pastor, Eddie led a life of service to others.  Whether it was coworkers, customers, tenants of community members, he did what he could to help others in need.  He was blessed with the gift of seeing people's heart rather than judging them by their circumstances which made him the perfect person to serve at Operation Reach Out.  He received numerous awards and acknowledgements from his colleagues and friends thoughtout his many years of service and while those were nice, he didn't do it for accolades.  Everything he did was for the betterment of others.  He loved seeing the people that he helped change their lives in positive ways.  He wa a great pastor, counselor and friend to anyone who needed him and he will be truly missed.

Pastor Eddie has now joined his beloved wife, Vashti, mother Ida and sister, Estelle Melinda Kearse, whom all preceded him in death.

He will be forever cherished by his loving sons, Eddie Williams, Jr., (Carolyn) of Indian Trail, NC and Marcus X (Doris) of Laurinburg, NC; 8 grandchildren, Tiffany Carver (Michael) of Durham, NC, Shanika Walker of Savannah, GA, Shaquana Boggan  and Marlon Williams, both of Wingate, NC, Kendra Williams of Statesville, NC. Mishay Pettiford of Marshville, NC, Brittanie Howard of Durham, NC and Simona Williams-Barrett (Thurmond) of Pageland, SC; aunts, Callie Mae Jasper and Girzine Taylor, both of Brooklyn, NY; brother-in-law, Jay Will Bolder (Karen) of Monroe, NC; sisters-in-law, Sarah Cherry (James) of Brooklyn, NY, and Belinda Clyburn (Larry) of Lancaster, SC; ten-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and very special friends.