Deacon Joe R. Williams, Sr., a loving husband and father, peacefully transitioned from earthly
life into immortality on February 25, 2023 at the age of 64 at Princeton Hospital in Birmingham,
Alabama. Deacon Joe Riley Williams, Sr, son of the late S.D. Richardson, Sr. and Maggie R.
Smith was born April 21st, 1958 in Linden, AL. He attended Marengo High School, graduating
in the Class of 1976. He worked diligently as a commercial driver throughout Marengo County
for 30+ years. He was known by fellow drivers as “Love Man”.
At an early age, he professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined St. Wisdom P.B. Church where
he served as a Deacon and Trustee. He remained a faithful member until his health failed.
Deacon Williams was united in holy matrimony to Alphadella Williams on August 17, 1990.
This union was blessed with three children.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Maggie R. Smith; father, S.D. Richardson, Sr. ; son,
Fred “Freddy” Minor; two brothers and one sister. His life will forever be cherished in the lives
of his loving and beautiful wife, Alphadella Williams; three children: Clifton (Keidra) Smith of
Fort Mitchell, AL; Yolanda (Derrell) Nalls of Tuscaloosa, AL; and Joe Riley Williams, Jr. of
Birmingham, AL. Seven brothers: Willie (Shirley) Smith of Sunny South, AL; Johnnie
(Cassandra) Richardson of Columbus, GA; Joe (LaToka) Russell of Grove Hill, AL; James
(Cynthia) Russell of Jackson, AL; Curlen (Vivian) Richardson, of Townsend, DE; Kenneth
Russell of Jackson, AL; Karl Russell of Grove Hill, AL; and S.D. Richardson, Jr of Brooklyn,
NY. Ten sisters: Alma (Elbert) Chapman of Grove Hill, AL; Katie (Benjamin) Harris of
Columbus, GA; Sarah (Ralph) Walker of Gonzales, LA; Ella Johnson of Hollis, Queens, NY;
Ora Mae Russell of Grove Hill, AL; Lula Walker of Brooklyn, NY; Gerthlene Quzack of
Columbus, GA; Bernice (Dwight) Howard of Opelika, AL; Shirley Lankster of Birmingham, AL
and Pamela Dillon of Jackson, MS. Six grandchildren: Charity Smith of Fort Bragg, North
Carolina; Cassie Smith, Caleb Smith, and Kaiden Joslin of Fort Mitchell, AL; Christina (Byron)
Wolf of Linden, AL; Chance Minor and Kierra Durden of Jefferson, TX; a host of devoted great-
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Joe Williams Sr., please visit our floral store.