Stephen S. Williams

Stephen Sayles Williams, affectionately known as Steve, made his grand entrance into this world on June 27, 1944 in Marshall, Missouri. The son of Charles and Dorothy Lewis Williams, he was the second of three born to this union.

He was a graduate of Marshall High School in Marshall, Missouri, class of 1962.  While there, he participated in choir for four years, band for three years, Boy’s Glee Club for four years, Madrigal for two years, Mixed Chorus for two years, Brass Sextet for two years, school newspaper for one year, Yearbook for one year and Drama Class for two years.  He enjoyed studying the Business and Psychology Curriculum.

Steve attended Missouri Valley College (MVC) from 1962 through 1966, earning his Bachelor of Science  Degree, majoring in Economics and minoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Psychology and Sociology.  He sang in the MVC College Choir for two years and played Intramural sports for two years. His brother attended there before him, and he watched his grandson, Tommy, and his niece, Marissa, graduate from there recently.  Steve also worked several jobs to put himself through college.  He hustled as a gardener, worked at the Dekalb Corn Company and with his father at the Marshall Chick Hatchery. He was employed as an attendant at the Marshall State School and Hospital, and he worked in the Salary and Wage Department at Remington Arms Company.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army.  After basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, he became a Postal Clerk and spent time at Ft. Harrison, Indiana and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.  He also spent six months in Germany in an Artillery Unit.  He obtained the rank of Sergeant while serving his country honorably.

Stephen met and fell in love with Alma Jean Strayhorn, and they wed June 3, 1972 in Pinhook, Missouri.  They loved their children dearly and built a wonderful life together.  She preceded him in death on September 27, 2018 after 46 years of marriage and 49 years of being together.

He was a man of faith. He grew up in Mount Olive Baptist Church in Marshall, Missouri. He taught Sunday School and was a member of the Men’s Chorus.  He also attended Baptist Training Union (BTU). When he moved to Charleston, he joined Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church where he held the office of Treasurer for two years.

He enjoyed going to Pennytown. Every 1st Sunday in August, family and friends gather to have church and fellowship at Freewill Baptist Church. In 1988, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. He had a strong sense of pride for his family heritage.

Steve had an impactful work ethic. He worked for Kraft Food Company before becoming an educator for the Charleston R-1 School District in Charleston, Missouri. He taught Math and Physical Education, and also  provided his expertise as a coach.  He would later become the Rehabilitation Director of the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of Charleston, Missouri, the Chief of Field Operations for Delta Area Economic Opportunity Cooperation (DAEOC) in Portageville, Missouri, the Construction Inspector for Booker Associates, Inc., and was the City of Cape Girardeau’s Code Inspector.

While being successful in those endeavors, he also helped his brother, Charles R. Williams, Sr., establish the Williams Funeral Homes. He would assist with ambulance runs, transportation, and serve as a funeral attendant. It was during one of those services that his brother would take the opportunity to introduce him to his future bride, Alma Jean Strayhorn.

He would go on to become the Housing Assistance Coordinator while working with the City of Cape Girardeau. He had great satisfaction when serving his community. A recent article written by Nathan Gladden that was published in the Southeast Missourian on January 5, 2024, praised him for going beyond expectations. With his work on grants, he helped bring about the Cape Area Family Resource Center and also played a part in saving the Marquette building from being razed.  According to the City of Cape Girardeau, Williams helped with programs such as flood buyouts, community development block grants, the old Saint Francis demolition, housing tax credits and more. The total investment in the projects exceeded $66 million. In 2021, Steve retired after 33 years of service.

Steve was a member of Harmony Lodge No: 40 F and AM of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and was honored for having achieved 40 plus years of service. He was the Worshipful Master for three years, was a life member and held gold card status. He was a member of the Southeast Missouri Chapter #8 Royal Arch Masons in Cape Girardeau where he served as the High Priest for one year. He was a member of Epsilon Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he served as the secretary for two years. He was a member of Missouri National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and a member of the Ten Tall Ones Civic Club. He was past member of the NAACP Charleston Branch (Executive Committee), past member of Missouri Association for Community Action, past Vice-President for Member Services, Missouri Chapter of NAHRO, and past Missouri Chapter Representative to Southwest Region NAHRO  Member Services Committee.  He was affiliated with Robert Haynes Commandry #8, United Grand Commandry, Knight Templer; Missouri Association of Code Administrators, Chairman of the State of Missouri Community Development Block Grant Advisory Council, and a member of the SEMO Regional Planning Commission Board.  He took great dignity in his civic works.

Steve enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, and just being outside. He loved fishing and hunting, especially with Bobby Spencer. Taking his boat out, going to concerts, and traveling were just a few of his favorite things to do. His pride and joy were traveling to attend his grandchildren’s events and games. He also loved to hum and sing. He and his brother can be heard as back-ups on their cousins’, members of the Kerr family, compact discs. He took delight in playing tennis with his brother and their friends. He genuinely loved having a good time.

He always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He and his wife began purchasing properties over 40 years ago. He took pleasure in maintaining those properties as he continued being a blessing to the many families he worked with over the years.

He was a proud man filled with integrity and impeccable leadership. Most of all, he cherished his roles as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, mentor, and friend. He was so proud of his family.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his brother, Charles R. Williams, Sr., his wife’s parents, Arbie and Louise Drake Strayhorn, six brothers-in-law, Willie Strayhorn, John Strayhorn, Roy Strayhorn, Phil Porter, Sr., Charles Jefro, Sr., and Lynell Robinson, Sr. and six sisters-in-law, Mary Nell Robinson, Gladys Lipsey, Mozella Strayhorn, Rosie Porter, Vada Strayhorn and Ella Mae Strayhorn.

On New Years’ Day, 2024 Stephen was suddenly taken from our midst. After 79 years, six months, and five days of hard work and service, he retired from his earthly duties.

Stephen leaves to cherish his memories, one son, Dicky Strayhorn of San Antonio, Texas, one daughter, Billie Renee’ Williams of Fayette, Missouri, his sister, Lola Louise Williams of Marshall, Missouri, his brothers and sisters-in law, Larry (Clementine) Strayhorn and Marilyn Joann Williams of Charleston, Missouri, Joyce Jefro of Carbondale, Illinois, and Mary Strayhorn of Sikeston, Missouri, a special young lady he raised as his own daughter, Karen Watkins of Clarksville, Tennessee, two special cousins, George Gregory of Columbia, Missouri and Ellen Villars of Kansas City, Missouri,  five grandchildren, Courtney, Kelsey, Christopher, Tommy, and Landen, a great grandson, Kai, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Williams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Missouri. Friends may call Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 11:00 A.M. at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Paul Jones officiating. Interment will be Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors. The Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Check out this story!

https://www.semissourian.com/story/3023927.html