Frank Edwin Williams' Obituary
Frank Edwin Williams, 84, was born in Camden, NJ to Francis L. and Dorothy E. (Wright) Williams of Audubon, NJ. He ran a newspaper route on his bike as a first job. He enjoyed spending time at a great uncle’s farm where he learned to drive a tractor at age 12. He ran cross country and track and field at Audubon High School and continued these sports at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR where he became student body president and met and married his wife of 53 years, Nanette Jean (Jacobs) Williams. They were married in Rogers, AR on August 23, 1964. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from JBU. Then he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1966. He and Nanette moved to Raleigh, NC where he went to work at IBM in the Research Triangle Park. After a few years, his daughters Sharon and Carol were born.
He was always very active in church, especially with music. He played trumpet, sang in choirs, quartets, and later played trumpet in church orchestras, 2 of which he helped start. He frequently fixed the organ at one church. He gave the love of music to his whole family. He enjoyed photography and became church photographer. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was very happy when boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, riding his 4-wheeler, or just working outside. He took lots of friends out in his boat and taught many of them to ski. Our family went to Jordan Lake weekly or every other week. He hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail with friends. He was talented at working on things like car engines, washing machines, water pipes, etc. He even put the HVAC system in his house. He could do just about anything. He also played softball on two different teams at the same time for many years. He was pitcher. But the greatest love of his life was the Lord. He and Nanette were blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Israel twice with churches. The 2nd trip was a music mission trip during which the orchestra and choir ministered to the people of Israel.
Nanette, his daughters and grandchildren were his life. He was at just about every event, every game, every birthday party, etc. He taught his daughters as much softball as they could learn. He tried really hard to make hunters out of them, since he had no sons. He paid for piano lessons, bought us 2 horses, took us to horse shows (he also rode in horse shows), and gave us cars when the time came, even if one was a ’74 Pinto. He supported us through college and came to visit when we moved away. He greatly enjoyed his grandchildren and did as many things with them as he could. He was there for his adult daughters whenever they needed him. His wife died suddenly just before her 78th birthday in 2017. God put another lady in his life in 2019. Her name is Joan Owen. She became the love of his life, his “lady friend”. They were good to each other and had good times together. Dad’s journey with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia began in 2020. He had several more good years with Joan and with his family. Things got tougher ~March 2024 and hospice was called in. He was eventually moved to a memory care facility around Thanksgiving 2024. He then was moved to a skilled nursing facility in March 2025. He did well until the beginning of June, at which point he was moved back home with Sharon. Carol also stayed to help take care of him until his death. We are grateful for all the help of Stanly EMS coming numerous times to help Sharon get him up if he had fallen. We are grateful for hospice and their care. They are like family to us. We appreciate all the concerns and prayers of friends and family. And thank you to the neighbors who helped lift Dad to his wheelchair from time to time. We thank the Lord for his long and full life and for his being able to serve the Lord with music for so long.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Nanette Williams, as well as his parents Francis and Dorothy Williams, sister Elizabeth Johnson (David), and one nephew.
He is survived by his daughters Sharon Barker and Carol Henshaw (Jerry), as well as grandchildren Kara Barker, Jordan Henshaw, Amanda Barker, Emily Barker, Lauren Henshaw, and Caleb Henshaw. He is also survived by his brother-in-law David Johnson, his sister-in-law Jerre Lynne West, a few cousins, and several nieces and one nephew.
His visitation and funeral will be at Carolina Presbyterian Church, 406 Renee Ford Rd, Locust on Friday June 20th with visitation beginning at 1pm. The funeral service will begin at 2:30pm. Following his funeral, his burial will be at Cabarrus Cemetery, 3892 NC-73 E, Concord (intersection of NC Hwy 73 and Cold Springs Rd.).
Contributions can be made to Tillery Compassionate Care (hospice), Stanly County EMS, Carolina Presbyterian Church, and Hickory Grove Baptist Church.
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