Leroy A. Williams

On Tuesday September 4, 1934, a second son was born to Ernest E. and Willie Mae Williams, LeRoy Alfred. Eight months later, his, mother passed. However, loved stepped in. His paternal grandmother Alberta and grandfather Willie raised him and his brother Ernie who was two years old.

LeRoy grew up surrounded by strong hard working men, his grandfather and his father and his precious Uncle Paul showed him how to work with his hands, providing him the foundation to become a master carpenter. His grandmother provided a home life that exhibited Christian values, a refuge for people in need and all were welcome to eat at the Williams’ family table.

These qualities shaped LeRoy’s character, in that he never met a stranger.

Growing up in West Philadelphia, he remained friends with and added new friends from James Rhodes elementary, Sulzberger junior high and Overbrook high school. It was at Overbrook that he excelled in athletics becoming a “letter-man” in track, baseball and basketball. His love was basketball. If you talked to LeRoy for any length of time, you would have heard him tell stories of his glory days, playing on the same team as Wilt Chamberlain. Or perhaps you would have heard him talk about playing in a pick-up game when he was in his 60’s with Magic Johnson and younger guys in Michigan, while visiting his daughter one Christmas. Or you might have heard about the breakfasts and dinner dances given by the Old-timers as he affectionately called the Philadelphia Association of Black Sports and Culture that included members like Coach John Chaney.

Although LeRoy received a basketball scholarship from Morgan State University, after graduating, he and his best friend, Leroy Walker and his future brother-in-law Sam Phillips enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps. When receiving his honorable discharge LeRoy also received the National Defense Service Medal. Upon becoming a civilian, he married Evelyn Phillips and they had one daughter who he named Karen Patricia, who was a “daddy’s girl”.

A hard working man, LeRoy worked for the US Postal Service during the day and always had a side job. It turned into a home remodeling business and many of his customers were his colleagues at the Post Office. Although he retired as a supervisor from the Post Office, he maintained his remodeling business years after. Showing love to those who loved him, he took care of his father during his final years and his Uncle Paul, who didn’t have children, by driving to Baltimore monthly to visit him. Without knowing it he was setting an example for his daughter and granddaughters, Jasmynn and Ivy, on what a good man looks like.

LeRoy and his brother, Ernie shared a special love. As little boys, their grandmother made them hug and say they loved each other after they had a fight. They were taught to always share with each other. They continued this practice into adulthood. LeRoy loved his brother’s children and had special pride when his brother named his second son, LeRoy Alfred, after him.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and he when he is old he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6. LeRoy found joy in serving the Lord and serving others. He united with Triumph Baptist Church of Philadelphia where he was active in a variety of ministries for nearly fifteen years. During the pandemic, he would faithfully watch Triumph’s live stream. As his health permitted he would visit Trinity Baptist Church of Columbus. When he was in the senior living facility, he would always pray for others. The night of his transition, the chaplain said that the last time they saw each, LeRoy prayed for him.

LeRoy leaves to cherish loving memories to his daughter, Dr. Karen Patricia Williams, his stepchildren, granddaughters, grand son-in-law, great-grandchildren, brother Dr. Ernest R. Williams (Barbara) and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to: Triumph Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 1648 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA.