Rev. Merle B. Williams, Sr.

Rev. Merle B. Williams Sr., age 84 of Hamilton passed away at Mercy Hospital Fairfield on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 12:21 AM. He was born in Oxford on February 4, 1929 the son of Walter Thomas Sr. and Molly Sue (Reynolds) Williams. Merle was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II and was employed as an electric distribution lineman for the City of Hamilton for 37 years, retiring in 1989. He also founded and was pastor of Pentecostal Apostolic Church of Jesus. On May 14, 1949 in Liberty, Indiana he married Rachel Gibson, and she preceded him in death in 2009.

He is survived by three sons, Merle B. "Rod" (Connie) Williams Jr. of Fairfield Township, David E. (Brenda) Williams of Fairfield, and Jonathan (Anna) Williams of Trenton; two daughters, Dianna (Gary) Jones of Seven Mile and Joan (Jim) Helm of Fairfield; a brother, Thomas (Mary) Williams of Hamilton; ten grandchildren, Kimberly, Chris, Stacy, Lisa, Jason, Amy, Jamie, Timmy, Jonathan Jr., and Rachel; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Walter T., Martin E., and his twin, Earl Beckett Williams; and three sisters, Evelyn Zimmerman, Dorothy Havens, and Margie Melton.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Cecil Morgan and Rev. Randy Adams officiating. Burial will follow at Butler County Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.