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Henry Williams - Pastor was 'people person - never met a stranger'
Huntsville Times, The (AL) - November 17, 2006
Deceased Name: Henry Williams - Pastor was 'people person - never met a stranger'
Life Stories - Family recalls how Henry Williams loved to help youth
Over the years, Pastor Henry Williams taught more than 100 kids how to water ski, although he wasn't much for going in the water himself.
Williams, a minister for 49 years, opened the family vacation home at Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee to youth in confirmation classes, where students could swim and ski in addition to learning about their faith.
"He taught 150 kids to ski, but he never skied himself," said Williams' wife of more than 50 years, Mary Ann.
Williams died Monday at age 73 after a long battle with cancer.
To those who knew him, Williams was an extrovert, someone who could make a lifelong friend while standing in line at the grocery store.
"He was a people person - never met a stranger," said son Philip Williams.
Born in Decatur, Ill., in 1933, Williams moved with his family to Indianapolis when he was a small child. As a boy, he had a paper route and earned a ticket to his first Indy 500 race. Watching the races became a hobby that continued throughout his life.
He was popular in school, and friends called him "Hollywood Henry," thanks to his good looks and wavy hair.
After graduating from high school in 1951, he worked in a General Motors plant to earn money for college. Five years later, he had a bachelor's degree in history from Anderson College. He earned a master's in psychology from Ball State University and a seminary degree and completed the coursework for a doctorate in sociology.
While attending Anderson, Henry met and married Mary Ann Beth. Williams' sister, Barbara Glaze, mused that she had the privilege of approving her brother's girlfriends - until Mary Ann: "He had already made up his mind," Glaze said.
The Williamses celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March. They had three sons - Mark Alan, Steven John and Philip Jay - and six grandchildren.
Williams began his service as a minister in the Church of God, serving in St. Paul, Minn.; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and Muncie, Ind. In 1969, he was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
While pastoring a Lutheran church in the Chicago area, he became interested in finding a lake house.
"He took a compass and said, 'I'll drive 10 hours,' and drew a circle on the map and found Tims Ford," Mary Ann Williams said. "Then he called the nearest Lutheran church and asked it there was any land for sale."
There was property for sale, and the family got its cabin. Williams hosted youth trips from the Illinois church, then Huntsville youth got to go on the outings after Williams accepted the head pastor position at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Huntsville in 1981.
Addie Isbell was one of the St. Mark's youth members who now, as an adult, remembers those times on the lake fondly.
"Those were the best times of my life," said Isbell, who now lives in Augusta, Ga. "I learned to water ski. He would drive the boat and say, 'Get in the water and act like you're sitting in a chair' and we would get up the first try.
"He's such a wonderful person and a wonderful pastor. He was always concerned about reaching the youth and getting his message across about how to live your life."
Williams served at St. Mark's until 1990, then at churches in Macon, Ga., Prattville, Memphis and Brandon, Miss. The Williamses retired to the lake house, but that didn't last, Mary Ann said. Her husband wanted to be around people. They moved back to Huntsville, and Henry taught social sciences at area colleges. He also served as transition pastor for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church during his retirement.
Williams was passionate about his faith and theology, family members said. As much as he liked talking with people, he also loved to read, and enjoyed building such projects as decks and a sunroom at the lake house.
Mark Williams said his father was once asked why he was so into building projects.
"He said, 'When it's a project, there's a beginning, middle and end. But with people you may never see the seed you've planted. You may not see the end until years from now.' "
Copyright, 2006, The Huntsville Times. All Rights Reserved.
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