On Saturday, August 8, 2020, Horace Manuel Williams, Sr., devoted and loving husband and father of
five children went home to be with his Lord.
Horace was born to Lafayette and Violetta Williams on April 30, 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the
sixth of seven children and the youngest boy.
A lifelong lover of classical music, Horace played the coronet in his high school band. Later in his adult
years, he would learn to play classical guitar and the accordion.
A gifted linguist, Horace earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Languages from the University
of Texas at Austin in 1968. Horace then served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany.
While in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he and his family were able to see Zugspitze, the highest mountain in
Germany, out of their kitchen window. Horace was drawn to the beauty of the mountain and proclaimed,
"There must be a God!" He took his wife's bible, determined to read through the entire New Testament.
In October 1970, while reading through the Gospel of John, Horace accepted Christ as his Savior and
Lord. A spark of joy and zeal took root in him, and he never looked back.
After honorably serving in the Army, Horace and his family moved to Ankeny, Iowa. There, he attended
Faith Baptist Bible College and graduated with a Bachelor's in Theology in 1976. On January 25, 1978,
Horace received his license as an ordained minister from Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des
Moines, Iowa. After a short time of ministry in Kansas, Horace and his family moved to Houston, Texas
to plant Beran Baptist Bible Fellowship. He left full-time church ministry in 1988, however he never lost
his zeal for studying God's word and sharing the Gospel with whoever crossed his path. Family
members, neighbors, employers, co-workers, colleagues, healthcare workers, the employees at the local
hardware store… Horace was so overjoyed by what God had done in his own life, he would happily
share the Gospel with anyone he met.
In 1990, Horace moved his family to Dallas, Texas so he could continue his Bible training at Dallas
Theological Seminary. He continued to share the Gospel and be a light for Christ in every facet of his
life. He often used his gentle strength to disciple young men that God allowed him to meet. Horace was
deeply committed to God and his family. He encouraged others to do the same.
Even during his 12-year battle with Alzheimer's, the fruit of the Holy Spirit was evident in Horace's
life. Whether it was a recitation of Scripture, his enjoyment of a favorite hymn, or a soft whisper of
"God bless you," he found a way to share light and love with his family and caretakers.
Horace was preceded in death by his parents, Lafayette and Violetta Williams; and brothers, Lafayette
Jr., Charles, and George.
He is survived by his beloved wife and helpmate of 54 years, Wanda Joyce Williams; three sons, Horace
Williams, Jr., John Williams (Amy), and Elmer Williams; two daughters, Sonya Gibbs (Ken) and Carrie
McCampbell (Charles Jr.); two sisters, C. Elaine Davis and Katie Houston (Reginald); one brother,
Addison Williams (Kathy); 12 grandchildren: Kenny Gibbs II, Samara Gibbs, Judah Gibbs, Jondaya
Williams, Khalil Horton, Josiah McCampbell, Hannah McCampbell, Sarah McCampbell, Leah
McCampbell, David Williams, Abigail Williams, and Emma Williams; and a host of nieces, nephews,
and cousins, each of whom was dearly loved.