L.C. Williams

L.C. Williams, 92, of Merryville, LA passed from this life on Saturday, August 3, 2013 in Jennings, LA. L.C. was born in Merryville on August 30, 1920 to The Reverend Jack and Mrs. Mollie Tolbert Williams. He was "The Baby" of the Williams.

Shortly after L.C.'s birth, his father was killed by lightning. Research is in progress to determine if L.C. was the longest living Sickle Cell Anemia patient. He accepted Christ at an early age. He served in the former Sweet Home Baptist Church in Merryville.  Later in life, L. C. attended worship services in the United Pentecostal Church, DeRidder, and worship services in the Southwest Louisiana Veterans' Home in Jennings, LA. In the last year, Louis Guy, I of Mt Canaan Baptist Church served as his pastor. L. C. began working at the age of nine.

He and an older brother Sammy answered the Draft Call to serve in World War II in 1943. PFC L.C. Williams was assigned to A Co. 1868th ENG AV BN. He was a proud WWII Veteran from 1943 through 1946 in the United States Army. Several of his assignments were with the U.S. Air Corp., which allowed him to train with some Tuskegee Airmen in Tuskegee, Alabama.  He proudly served his country abroad and in the states. His extensive travels carried him to various parts of the world. L. C. found his brother Sammy, who had been killed in a foxhole in Italy during the WWII conflict. L. C. was an expert marksman, mason, cook, and a featherweight boxer. He received numerous medals for his service;  the American Theater, the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Good Conduct  L. C.'s marksmanship and dedication allowed him to be one of the few African-Americans to serve on various battlefronts with soldiers of different races.

L.C. had  numerous occupations;  but his main one was as a school bus driver for 25 years, during the era when bus drivers purchased their own school buses, insurance, and personally kept up the maintenance. During the segregation era, L.C. transported children from Bancroft, Merryville, and parts of DeRidder to Carver High School in DeRidder. After returning the non-athletes to their homes in those three communities after school, he would return to Carver from Bancroft for the games to transport those students home in Merryville and Bancroft at night. He was the first African- American school bus driver for Merryville High School. Because of L.C. & his wife Myrtle's dedicated community service, a park was designated and named in their honor, in Merryville, Louisiana. On August 6, 2010, L.C. Williams was issued a proclamation that designated him as The Honorary Mayor of the Town of Merryville. He was also honored for his service to the Bancroft Community by the Friendship Baptist Church, Bancroft Louisiana.

Preceding  him in death are his wife-- Mrs. Myrtle Elizabeth Hamilton Shade Williams and one son who died immediately after birth. His parents: Jack Williams, Minister and Mrs. Mollie Tolbert Williams Palmer; Stepfather-- Thomas "Tom" Palmer; His brothers: Willie, Samuel "Sammy" Williams, I.C. Williams, and James Columbus (J.C.) Palmer. L. C.'s sisters: Silk Williams, Alberta Palmer Smith; and Sweetie Bell Palmer; nieces who were nurtured in his home: Doris Ann and Mae Audrey Smith. Deceased nephews whom he assisted in care: Lindsey Palmer and Jimmy Williams (Silsbee, TX) L. C. leaves to cherish his memories: his daughter, Loretha Cecilia Williams (DeRidder, LA); Nephews and nieces who were nurtured in his home: Roger Taylor (Roxie) Lake Charles, LA; Minister Shelton Smith, DD, PhD., Ret. Msgt/USAF (Kimberly) Aurora, CO; Keith and Sonya Smith ( Beaumont, TX); others whom he assisted in nurturing: Carl L. Williams, Sr. , Joyce Williams Turner (Silsbee, TX ), Jean Hudson Scott (Lutcher, LA), Ester Williams (Clarksville, TN), and a host of relatives, acquaintances, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. L. C. would have preferred you to help children and youth to become educated. In his honor, Please donate to at least one of the organizations below: New Light Baptist Scholarship Fund, c/o Pastor Louis Guy, I, P. O. Box 731, DeRidder, LA 70634, Shade Scholarship Foundation, Merchant & Farmer's Bank, c/o P. O. Box 459, Leesville, LA 71496, C & B Organization, P. O. Box 122, DeRidder, LA 70634, Ministry of Christian Education Greater Union First Baptist Church (GUFBC), 240 S. Clara Ave. , DeLand, FL 32720.

Thanks to all caregivers; Merryville and Bancroft's citizens, Mr. Frank Johnson & Mr. Bob Welborn of the Senior Care Unit, Beauregard Parish Sheriff Dept., Dr. Mahesh Pandya, Dr. Percival Kane, Pastor & Mrs. Louis Guy, I & Mt. Canaan Baptist Church,  DeRidder, LA; Palliative & Hospice Care , Dr. Amanda Lacomb, and Southwest La. War Veterans Home, Jennings, LA.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA.  Funeral services will be on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 10:00am at Norris Memorial COGIC in DeRidder, LA. Pastor Louis Guy will officiate.  Burial will be on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 9:00am in Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville, LA.