Theodore Williams Jr.

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Theodore Williams, Jr. was a humble man whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in the family he adored. Well known throughout his community, he was hardworking, well-respected, and a successful advocate for others. Ted was a devoted father, but he just may have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandfather. Never one to let life get the best of him, he was a man of great courage and strength - an inspiration to all who were near. Life will never be the same without Ted here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his love ones will carry on in his footsteps. It seems only fitting that Teds journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s when televisions were becoming part of our homes, Elvis was king, and Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus. It was during this eventful time that Theodore N. and Willie Mae Rozell Williams were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as winter held the city of Muskegon, Michigan, firmly in its grip in January of 1952. The big day finally arrived when the baby boy they named Theodore Nathaniel Jr. drew his first breath. He was the second of five children as he was raised in the family home on Ray Street in Muskegon Heights alongside his older sister, Shirley, and his younger siblings, Roderick, Cynthia, and Nannetta. Teds father was a jack of all trades who worked as a contractor in the construction industry while his mother was a busy Nurses Aide. In many ways, Ted was a typical young boy of his generation. His siblings always claimed that he was his moms favorite - the golden child in the family. Ted developed a love for reading at a young age, especially for comic books, and at one time he planned on being a writer. His little brother idolized him and followed him around everywhere, copying his every move. Ted was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and he attended local schools including East Park Elementary. He started playing organized football in ninth grade for Muskegon Heights High School. He was a gifted athlete who was always on the first string of whatever team he played for. In football he was a linebacker and fullback, and he also ran track in the spring. During those years he met Lance Wilkins, who played football, and they became lifelong friends. In addition to holding down his studies, Ted worked at the A Grocery Store while in high school. In his free time he and Lance, along with their buddies, were known to cruise around town in their dads car, driving slow to conserve what gas they could afford to put in the tank! After graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, Ted went on to Western Michigan University where he was a walk-on starter for the freshman football team. He was a good student who worked as a teachers assistant and taught some classes, too. Teds brother, Rod, followed him to Western Michigan, and they lived together in an apartment with a bunch of guys. While in school, there were many trips traveling back and forth to Muskegon in Ted's Ford pinto. During his last year at WMU, he met Pam Benjamin. Their relationship blossomed, and they were eventually married. After graduating from WMU, Ted continued on to Penn State University. After two years there, he graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology and returned to Muskegon. His marriage to Pam ended shortly after that. Throughout his life, Ted was known for his strong work ethic. He initially began working for Muskegon County in the human resources department and soon became very involved with the community. This was a natural fit for Ted since he wasnt afraid to speak his mind and always stood up for the less fortunate. He was active in the Urban League and Affirmative Action programs. It was during those years he became good friends with Jerry Lottie who was also involved in community and civil rights. Over the years, Jerry was an amazing mentor to Ted. Looking for something more, Ted decided to go to law school to become an attorney. Attorney Ben Marcus was always impressed by him and promised Ted a position in his law firm after he graduated. When that came to fruition, Ted returned to Muskegon and joined the firm. Soon after, he met Marfay Dodd, who was working at a local bank. Although it took a little effort on Teds part, they did eventually start dating and soon found themselves in love. They were then married, and in 1980 their daughter, Syreeta, was born. Teds marriage to Marfay lasted 16 years. A highly respected attorney, Ted specialized in municipal law and was soon the corporate council for the City of Muskegon Heights. Eventually, he became the corporate council for Muskegon County. Some called him a genius as he had an extensive memory and could recall cases, rules, and regulations from the multitude of projects that he worked on through the years. He also continued to be involved with the community through the housing commission and fighting for local causes. Always willing to work hard, Ted faced every challenge head on. In order to accomplish his business goals and passions, he was a workaholic, and his office was more like his man-cave. Ted became a senior partner at Williams & Hughes PLLC and was a member of the Muskegon County Bar Association. Since Teds career kept him busy, there werent many vacations through the years - unless of course there was work to be done while traveling. In reality, he didnt really know how to relax. When he did have free time, he liked watching sports on television or listening to music from the 1970s, especially the Temptations and Funk Music. Ted certainly loved his daughter, and she cherished their time together. Syreeta especially remembers dancing with him while standing on his feet and riding bikes with him. When she became an adult and married, she and Ted grew even closer as friends. Ted loved being a grandfather, and he was right there when his first grandson, who was named for him, came home from the hospital. Ted spent as much time as he could with his grandchildren, and of course spoiling them was a must! Throughout his life, Ted battled with health issues. He suffered from asthma, and unfortunately the medication he took to help caused other issues. Over the years Ted was in and out of the hospital numerous times, and many times his prognosis was very poor. Despite these challenges, he never let it get him down and continued working long hours. Through it all, he continued to be passionate about his work, too. He also maintained his close relationships with Lance Wilkins and Jerry Lottie with whom he could share all of his challenges with. Unfortunately, the years took their toll and his health issues became severe. All who knew Theodore Williams would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was hardworking and driven to succeed, but he was also generous beyond measure. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed. Mr. Theodore Nathaniel Williams, age 63, passed away Monday, November 2, 2015. he is survived by Daughter, Syreeta (Keith) Johnson of Avon CT; grandchildren, Keith Henry Theodore Johnson Jr. & Alexandra Clare Johnson; Step Son, Herrick Kimball and grandchildren Sydnei brother, Roderick (Faye) Williams of Kalamazoo; sisters, Shirley Winston, Cynthia Williams & Nannetta Williams. Funeral services for Ted will be on Saturday, November 7, 2015, 12:00 noon with visitation one hour prior to the service at Angel Community Church with Rev. Chris Sanford officiating. Interment in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. MEMORIAL: Wayne State University Law School Development, 471 W. Palmer, Detroit, MI 48202 , In memory of Theodore Williams Jr.