George Harold Williams III
Reverend George Harold Williams III joined his beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023.
He was born on December 22, 1949, to Genell and George H. Williams, Jr. in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a product of the Chattanooga School System. He married his lovely bride, Glenda A. Williams on March 12, 1966. They enjoyed 57 years together. To this union, three children were born: Yolandia, George and Jessica. Pastor Williams was a member of the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was led to Christ under the pastorate of the late Dr. William H. Ryan, Jr. In 1972, Reverend Ryan and a few deacons came to his home on the Evangelistic Team. He was watching the game and appeared to be annoyed that they were interrupting his game. The Lord pierced his heart and the following Sunday he brought his family to church, and they joined. Since that day, he has been proclaiming the Word of God to everyone he met. During his tenure at Union Hill, he served as chairman of the Deacon Board, was a Sunday School teacher, and served on the Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Male Chorus, where he was nicknamed as “Catch on Fire Williams.” In 1980, Pastor George H. Williams was called to Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Calhoun, Tennessee where he served faithfully until his death. His last sermon was preached on March 12, 2023. He was in his 43rd year of pastoring his flock. When he arrived, the church building was in need of repair, it had a spring well, and an outhouse. Under his leadership, many souls came to Christ and a beautiful new structure was built. He served as moderator and in other leadership positions in the Loudon District Association for several years. Reverend Williams loved basketball and was an avid Tennessee Vols fan where he held season tickets. If he was not spending time at his church, he would be watching sports or his favorite shows “The Price is Right” or “Gunsmoke”. He was employed by Beeler Impressions Products Inc. for 46 years as salesman. He served the East Tennessee area and parts of Georgia. He was instrumental in supplying churches, schools, and many businesses with state-of-the-art equipment. Reverend Williams loved his family. He could be found many days teasing his grandkids and showing them God’s Amazing Love. He baptized many of his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, he was their pastor as well as “Papa” and “Uncle Harold”.
Reverend Williams was preceded in death by his parents, George Williams and Genell Williams-Watts; brothers, Robert Williams and Delbert Williams; granddaughter, Taylor Williams.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Glenda A. Williams; daughters, Yolandia (Kelvin) Smith of Chattanooga and Jessica (Corey) Phillips of Baton Rouge, La.; son, George (Marlo) Williams of Dacula, GA; sisters, Janet Williams, Brenda Harris, Sandra Williams, and Cathy (Ervin) Cousin; brothers, Gary (Robin) Williams and Melvin (Sharon) Williams all of Chattanooga; brother-in-law, John (Faye) Norris of Orlando, FL; six grandchildren, Wesley Williams, Kelvina Smith, Justin Smith, Andrew Williams, George C. Williams and CJ Phillips; six great-grandchildren, Mo’Riah Williams, Kingsten Williams, Chanse Williams, Harmony Williams, Marley Smith, and Jayla Smith; devoted friends, Reverend Edward S. Robinson, Sr. and James Miller; other relatives, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Family and a host of friends.
Reverend Williams will lie in state on Saturday, April 8, at 9 a.m. at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral service will follow at noon at the church with Reverend Edward S. Robinson, Sr. as the eulogist. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.