Lawrence Williams Death, Obituary – Lawrence Louis Williams was born on April 21, 1930, to the late Elbert Williams, Sr. and Mayburke Graves Williams. He was the ninth of ten siblings. Lawrence was christened at St. Monica Catholic Church after being born and nurtured in the Catholic faith. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1947, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1948. On September 15, 1955, he married the love of his life, Leona Annette Williams.
Pamela Maria, Alice Faye, Adrian Yvette, Leatrice Helena, and Avril Annette were born to this union. Lawrence had the opportunity to traverse the country with his wife, Leona, as a soldier before settling into their first home in Pontchartrain Park Subdivision in 1970. As an unrivaled Provider, he acquired this property to ensure a safe haven for his family while serving his second tour in Vietnam, shielding them from an unpredictable fate.
Lawrence and his family attended St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church while residing in the region. Lawrence was a member of the Knights of Peter Claver and served as an usher while a member of St. Gabriel. Lawrence’s experience in the Army had soared to incredible heights when he returned from Vietnam, and he established roads to possibilities for his family.
Lawrence received two Purple Hearts, the National Defense Service Medal, an Achievement Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, an Expert Infantry Badge, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Medal, and many other awards during his military career. Lawrence opted to retire in June 1978, after thirty years and four months of service, after earning the highest enlisted rank in his battalion.
Lawrence has always been a multi-talented individual. He was captivated by electronics and began a hobby of disassembling and reassembling them. Lawrence enrolled in Sidney Collier Community School, where he earned a Certified Electronics Technician credential, as his curiosity grew. After the program’s completion and setting up an electronics shop in the attic of his home (where he repaired family and friends’ electronics at no cost), Lawrence decided to return to the workforce.
Lawrence was a militant, thus security was always second nature to him. As the “Handsome Distinguished Gentleman in a Suit” at the New Orleans Centre/Superdome, and the “Nice Guy in a Suit” as a consultant to various malls throughout the country on security system installations, he began a second career as a Director of the Joe Giarrusso Safety and Security company, then a Director with the International Corporation Company.
Lawrence and his wife returned to Leesville, Louisiana, near his retirement location, after Hurricane Katrina. He had a hectic career and social life. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Leesville Chapter), the American Legion Post 387 (New Llano, Louisiana), an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and a member of the “Infamous Kim’s Kitchen” crew, which served coffee and camaraderie to local military retirees.
In his leisure, he was an active member of the New Orleans Chapter Friendship group, where he and his beautiful wife traveled to different states to fellowship with other family and friends. Equipped with fortified team spirits, Lawrence was often criticized for “straddling the fence” (as we all clear our throats), he liked the Cowboys, yet he was a “Big” Saints fan (never missed a game)! Lawrence Leaves an Ineffable Legacy! He mentored the young men in the family, as he adored his nephews, sons-in-law, grandsons, and great-grandsons.
Lawrence was indeed a blessing to many. He was Blessed with longevity to provide Promotional guidance and wisdom to those in the community and beyond. As the patriarch of the Williams family, he was the epitome of a GREAT MAN! In every effort in life, he exemplified the characteristics of a Provider, Protector, and Promotor of his family. Lawrence passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-one years, Leona Annette Lewis Williams.
He also proceeded in death by his parents, Elbert and Mayburke Williams, and devoted sisters and brothers, Odessa Givens, Elbert Williams, Jr., Mary Louise Hamilton, May Marion Woods, Lorraine Morris, Thaddeus Williams, Marlene Pollard, and Shirley Taylor. His sons-in-law, Ira Cordell Upshaw and Gary Anthony Casey, also preceded him in death.
He will be remembered fondly by his devoted brother, Cornelius Williams (Shirley); his five lovely daughters, Pamela, Alice Faye (Madison), Adrian, Leatrice, and Avril (Marc); his adoring grandchildren, Kevin LaRon (Dawn), Katrina Tremaine, Makeisha Annette, Ira Cordell, II, Shanta ReNise (Darius), Alaina Arrie (F He is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, his close friend, Erica Meilleur, his caring neighbor, Daisy Jackson, his “adopted sister,” Sherry Wheeler, other relatives, friends, and the vast number of members of the Friendship Club.
The tragic news that one of our own, Lawrence Williams, had passed away has caused all of us to feel an overwhelming sense of loss. During this difficult time, his family is in our thoughts and prayers and we extend our condolences to them. Everyone who worked at The Mond will remember Lawrence as an honest and upstanding gentleman, and they will share their sorrow over his passing.
On Friday, June 23, at twelve o’clock in the afternoon, the funeral is going to take place in the crematorium that is located in Margam.