Rev. Walter G. Williams

Walter George Alexander Williams was born in Clover Hill Moneague, Saint Ann Jamaica West Indies on July 29, 1928 to the parents Joseph and Maybelle Williams. He was the third of nine children. His surviving siblings include; Arthur, Edwards, Marie and Una Williams. In his later days he spoke of his siblings often and wished he could travel to see them again. The family also continues to mourn the loss of his sister Sarah who went on before him this past February.  

 He attended school in Jamaica and Migrated to the United States at an early age where he worked in Miami as a migrant worker. Later he traveled north to Connecticut for new work opportunities. Here he became active in the church community. Through mutual friends he met and later married Carmel Harris and relocated to Boston, MA. It was here in Massachusetts that he would find employment at the Dana Hall school where he would work until his retirement. He became a lifelong member of Holy Mount Zion Church under the leadership and friendship of Bishop Katherine C. Lewis. As a dedicated servant he worked to help maintain the beautiful building and community at 113 Harold street alongside the members and faithful servants he held as friends.

Along the way, “Uncle Marc” and “Aunt Car” helped to raise and support many of the young people in their lives and in the congregation. Sunday dinners at 9 Waumbeck Street were often packed full of godchildren, nieces, nephews and family friends. He enjoyed a cold glass of lemonade on hot summer days while watching the Boston Red Sox or WWF wrestling. His craft in carpentry and building was something he took great pride in. It kept him busy after work and on weekends as there was very little he could not do or learn to do with the right tools.

Rev. Williams was called to serve as a minister in the church and studied fervently to be equal to the task. His love and passion for doing the work he was chosen to do gave him great pride and joy. In service of this calling he was encouraged to finish his formal education and worked tirelessly to earn his high school diploma by going to school at night. He continued to develop his literacy in the study of the scripture and the preparation of his sermons with the aid of his wife Carmel’s sharp mind and understanding. The congregation of Holy Mount Zion worked faithfully to be of service to those in need through hosting a food bank, working to provide childcare to the community in addition to providing a spiritual center accepting all who would come to call 113 Harold Street a second home over the years..

After serving as Pastor to the congregation of Holy Mt. Zion for several years and toiling without ceasing to maintain the edifice, Rev. Williams succumbed to the limitations of his age and health. Although growing increasingly frail, Rev. Williams would still need to be stopped from climbing ladders and hauling gravel up to patch a perpetually leaking roof. Even in his last days with us he insisted that he would raise the money to fix the building he had cared for for so long after its tragic collapse due to fire and ice. For better or worse, in his mind, this was the responsibility he was charged with and he held on to it.

In his last stage of life here on earth Walter was cared for by the staff at Laurel Ridge Skilled Care and Rehabilitation facility. Here he made friendships and enjoyed conversations with patient caretakers who remember him fondly. Here he attended services when he could and shared the word of God with anyone who would listen. He startled many with his long forgotten skills in dominoes and enjoyed tea, not coffee, with as much sweetener as he was allowed.

He will be remembered for his strength and conviction in his beliefs, his dedication when called to serve, his humor and charming wit, his grace and humility in suffering. Whether known as  Walter, Mr. Williams, “Uncle Marc”, “Pop”, “God daddy”, “Pastor” or “Rev. Williams”, He will be remembered with love and great affection. 

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