Obituary of Dr. McDonald Williams

Born on November 13, 1917, McDonald Williams, Ph.D. was a lifelong educator with more than 45 years of teaching on the university level until his retirement in 1988. Additionally, he served as an editorial consultant on numerous literary works. He was also an instrumental figure in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Williams died on August 11, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 101½.

He is survived by his spouse of 75 years, Jamye Coleman Williams, Ph.D.; daughter, Donna M. Williams; grandson, Douglass P. Selby, Esq. (Pamela); two great-granddaughters, Jamye Kathleen and Payton Frances; niece, Freida Coleman Minga; and a host of extended family and close friends.

ATLANTA ARRANGEMENTS: Public viewing and visitation with the family will be on Thursday, August 15, 2019, 5:30-7:00 pm at Murray Brothers Funeral Home, 1199 Utoy Springs Rd, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331. The funeral will be held on Friday, August 16, 2019, at 11:00 am at Big Bethel AME Church, 220 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. The Rt. Rev. William P. DeVeaux will be the eulogist. The Rev. John Foster, Ph.D., is the pastor and officiant. 

NASHVILLE ARRANGEMENTS: Public viewing for Dr. Williams will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2019, 1:00-4:00 pm at Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors, 2500 Clarksville Pk, Nashville, TN 37208. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Omega Service will be at 5:00 pm, followed by Chi Boulé’s Memorial, at St. John AME Church, 1822 Formosa St, Nashville, TN 37208, the Rev. Lisa Hammonds is the pastor. Public viewing and visitation with the family will end at 7:00 pm. The interment will be on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 11:00 am in the Historic Greenwood Cemetery, 1428 Elm Hill Pk, Nashville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. McDonald Williams to Wilberforce University, c/o Development Office, 1055 N. Bickett Rd., P.O. Box 1001, Wilberforce, OH 45384 or online at https:wilberforceunite.com. Please indicate your gift is for Dr. Williams for proper acknowledgement.