1930
Jesse "slick"
2018
Jesse "Slick" Charles Williams
April 2, 1930 — May 2, 2018
The Life and Times of Jesse C. Williams
He attended Peake High School and was a member of St. Paul AME Church. On April 30, 1946, he enlisted in the United States Army where he worked as a line machine gunner. He loaded, aimed, cleaned, maintained and fired a light machine gun; while estimating ranges and setting sights. He excelled and showed tremendous talent in field-stripping weapons with combination tools. He busied himself building lasting friendships with other soldiers and officers. He later worked as a military police officer being equally balanced academically and physically.
After his military career, Jesse returned to Arkadelphia and worked as a stocker/delivery driver at Fuller Drug Store downtown Arkadelphia. He married the love of his life, Parthena Mitchell on January 5, 1950. This union was blessed with eight children. In January 2010, they had a grand celebration to commemorate their 60 years of marriage. He reunited with St. Paul AME Church where he was an active member and a member of the male choir. He worked as a machinist with the International Paper Company for 14 years. In his spare time, he provided janitorial services to many local businesses.
“Slick” as he was commonly called was the true “life of the party”. He was always ready to be in the company of family and friends at house parties, birthday parties and family gatherings. Slick always brought joy, laughter and his famous dancing skills. His fun-loving nature and attitude was a magnet for those who wanted his energy to rub off on them. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and dancing. On quiet days he could be found watching westerns, wresting and baseball.
Above all, he was a great man and had he tarried longer; many would have been recipients of this love, wisdom and advice. On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, he passed into the Lord’s embrace. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings; three sons, Wilbert F. Williams (April 6, 1990), Bruce M. Williams (August 2, 1992) and Victor E. Williams (June 10, 2010); a daughter, Mary Williams Daly (March 23, 2017) and a grandson, Wilbert Fred Williams, Jr.
Slick leaves a lifetime of memories with his wife of 68 years, Parthena Mitchell Williams; his children, Belinda Henderson of Little Rock, AR, Jesse and Ramona Williams Jr. of Fresno, TX, Joyce Williams of Little Rock, and KL Williams of Hot Springs; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; sisters-in-law, Georgia Hill of Arkadelphia, Gracie Walton of Oakland, CA, Ester (Rev. Sterling) Samuels of Hot Springs, AR, Virginia Johnson of Hot Springs, AR and Carol Tippen of Henderson NV. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends who will miss him deeply.
Public visitation will be from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2018 at the funeral home. A celebration of his life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at St. Paul AME Church with Rev. T. W. Scott, eulogist. Interment will be Rest Haven Memorial Gardens with Military honors.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jesse "Slick" Charles Williams, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Public Visitation
Friday, May 11, 2018
Ends at 6:00 pm (Central time)
Williams Funeral Home
Celebration of Life
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
St. Paul AME Church
Interment
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Rest Haven Memorial Gardens
Guestbook
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