Alvin Williams, age 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of over 50 years.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 26th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Brownwood Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 27th at 2:00 pm at New Testament Holiness Church in Bangs, TX.
“Brother Williams,” as he was affectionately known, was born on April 29, 1940, in Independence, Louisiana to Mose Williams and Mae Ethel (Johnson). Brother Williams was raised with his two siblings, Peter Williams and Everline Williams, both of whom preceded him in death. As a youth, he often visited his grandmother who nurtured his love of gardening and a strong foundation of Faith in God.
He graduated from Hammond High School and joined the United States Army on October 9, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alvin was stationed at Fort Hood and Fort Polk, Louisiana before shipping off to Germany. After a lengthy hospitalization in Würzburg Germany, he received an Honorable Discharge from the military on October 6, 1964.
Alvin moved to Los Angeles, California to live with his cousin Pauline and her husband Floyd after serving his country in the Special Troops Battalion. He found gainful employment and adjusted to civilian life. One day while visiting a friend at a local hospital, called United Rehabilitation Center, he was introduced to a medication nurse named May Lue Thomas who became the love of his life.
Alvin pursued Mary and she would forever call him a “slick talker!” with sharp suits to match and won her heart away from another beau who she was dating at the time. The two fell in love and were married on September 3, 1966.
Alvin began reading the Bible and strengthened his Christian foundation under the guidance of his father-in-law, Joseph Columbus Thomas. The Williams family moved to Santa Anna, California where her first-born son, Kevin Dushane Williams, and daughter Latonya Williams, were born. Alvin spent much time with his father-in-law and the Thomas Family in Bible Study, Bible Drills, Prayer and Supplication. Soon after Alvin got saved and dedicated his life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ under the Ministry of Rev. Bill Byrd of Santa Ana, California. The Williams Family became faithful members of the Full Gospel Church under Rev. Byrd.
Alvin Williams began ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ in the late 1960s and early 70s. He stepped out on faith and moved his family to Wagner, Oklahoma and started a church called Endtime Holiness Church. The Church continued to grow, and many souls were saved under their ministry. While living in Wagner, Oklahoma Alvin and his Wife Mary welcomed their third child, Myra Deanna (Williams) Merritt in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Alvin moved his family to Coleman, Texas to continue God’s work. Here Alvin worked as a Maintenance and Safety inspector for Coleman Hospital and attended a full gospel church under the ministry of Brother Willie Blue.
In the Mid 1970’s Alvin and the Williams Family moved to Bangs, Texas and joined New Testament Holiness Church of Bangs, Texas under Pastor Frank Barron, and Ronnie White. He purchased land in the McDaniel Community and built a home for his family. Alvin found employment as an insurance salesman which he did for many years. He was blessed to work as an insurance agent alongside his best friend, Elder Jerry Jordan.
It was here that their youngest child, Marcus Dewan Williams, was born.
Continuing his service for the Lord in New Testament Holiness Church he served as a minister and became an evangelist traveling around the world preaching God’s word. As he grew stronger in his walk with Jesus, he started his own church ministry, New Covenant Christian Community Church in Brownwood, Texas. Alvin became known as “The Walking Bible” and was encouraged to study History, Philosophy, Greek and Hebrew in order to discern the true meaning of biblical texts.
In 2011 he earned his Doctor of Theology and Religious Studies through the Gospel Ministry Outreach Theological Institute. His favorite teaching phrase was “if they can’t give you BOOK, CHAPTER and VERSE then it is not of God.” Alvin was known as a “giver”, and he lived his life determined to meet the needs of others; whether it was through encouragement, food or a safe place to live and learn. Along with his wife, Mary Williams, he became the foster parent of several children over many years.
Further, Alvin Williams became a devoted Grandfather to his biological grandsons, Eric Alan Merritt and Aaron Alvin-Louis Williams. He enjoyed doing many activities with them, including gardening, fishing, shooting guns, playing pool and checkers.
Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, grandmother, siblings, beloved wife, Mary Lue (Thomas) Williams and son, Kevin Dushane Williams. He is survived by his daughter, LaTonja Denise Williams; daughter, Myra (Williams) Merritt (Douglas Alan Merritt Jr); son, Marcus Dewan Williams; his special Nephew and Godson, Reggie (Shawn) Bunions grandsons, Eric Alan Merritt and Aaron Alvin-Louis Merritt, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, brother in laws and longtime friends.
Services entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.brownwoodfuneralhome.net