S*1607 Session 109 (1991-1992)
S*1607 Concurrent Resolution, By I.E. Lourie, Courson, Giese and Patterson
A Concurrent Resolution to express sympathy to the family of A. P. Williams,
Jr., of Columbia.
06/04/92 Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-88
06/04/92 House Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF A. P. WILLIAMS,
JR., OF COLUMBIA.
Whereas, A. P. Williams, Jr., died on Friday, May 29, 1992; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams was born in Columbia and graduated from
Booker T. Washington High School and the Eckels College of
Embalming and Sanitary Science; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams was only twenty-three years old when he joined
the Colored Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association of South
Carolina and he lived to be the oldest continuous member and held every
state office the organization offered; and
Whereas, he was on the National Morticians Association Board of
Directors in the 1940's and he worked to get black morticians recognized
and put on the State Funeral Board; and
Whereas, he also worked to preserve the culture and heritage of the
black funeral tradition; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams, as one of Columbia's most respected morticians,
brought dignity to the end of life for those he buried; and
Whereas, he was active in politics and civil rights as a charter member
of the Richland County Citizens Committee which facilitated peaceful
integration of public schools and city buses; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams worked not only for hiring two black police
officers in Columbia, which now has a black police chief, but also for
equal pay for black employees and equal facilities for black patients in
the state's mental hospitals; and
Whereas, during the era of lunch counter sit-ins and demonstrations, he
paid the bonds for jailed students who participated in these activities;
and
Whereas, Mr. Williams was one of the first blacks since Reconstruction
to run for public office in the Southeast by seeking a seat on the
Columbia City Council in 1950 and in the state legislature in 1954; and
Whereas, although unsuccessful, he encouraged political involvement
among other blacks; and
Whereas, he was a life member of the NAACP, serving as president of
the Columbia branch for eight years and vice president for fourteen
years; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams was very active in Zion Baptist Church as a
trustee for forty-four years and where he donated the lettering for the
church name in memory of his parents; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams leaves his wife and family of two children, nine
grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams' death is a great loss to the community. Now,
therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly express sympathy to family
of A. P. Williams, Jr., of Columbia.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his
widow, Peggy Tucker Williams.
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