Rodney Edward Williams

Rodney Edward Williams, loving and loved father, brother, uncle and friend entered into eternal rest in the Bronx, New York on May 8, 2019,  at the age of 83.

Rodney was born the third and middle child of  Joseph Williams and Ellen Williams (nee Waits),   in New York, New York on January 2, 1936.  Following high school,  he joined the Marine Corps in 1954, serving honorably until medically discharged in1956.  Married in 1955 to Barbara Richardson, they produced one son, Gerald Alan Williams.  Following military service, Rodney worked first for the US Postal Service, then the New York City MTA, first as a conductor, then as a motorman, finishing his career as motorman inspector.  Divorced in the 70s, he was re-married to Shirley Parris, who left him a  widower in 1999. A hard working man, Rodney enjoyed watching sports, playing cards, listening to jazz, and interacting with friends, but more than anything, his true joy was in caring for his family.  The  whole family.  Three  siblings passed away very early, all leaving families.  Rodney, along with his brother Maurice, stood to ensure that none of those family members lacked for the love or support. Most every event attended, most every need attended to.  Up until the evening he was stricken ill, he was still running errands on behalf of family. A strong, intelligent man, always pushing loved ones to be better, always helping them to be so, delighting in their successes.  This is what Rodney Williams was all about.  This was the man that we grieve for, this is the spirit we celebrate.

                  In addition to his son, Gerald, he leaves in mourning his brother, Maurice Williams, grandchildren Christopher, Donall and Lauren, longstanding friend and housemate, Gail Green, her sons, Carmen and Phillip Green, and Sister-in-law Barbara Williams. Cherished by his family, he will be sorely missed by nieces Valerie Bailey, Brenda Williams-Gray, Cheryl Thompson, Jackie Beavers, Kim, Tonja, Ernestine, Chiniqua, Lila Dean, and Delia Williams, nephews Norman, Douglas, Daryl, Tshombe and Dedrick Williams, Maurice Williams Jr., beloved cousins Gerald Luckett and Lois Logan, step-grandchildren Tonya and Robert Parris, many other relatives and many friends.

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