It is Monday, August 25, 2008 and I have decided to begin writing my own obituary. Why? Because after all who knows me better?
My life began on February 22, 1939 to the late Eddie Belle Toney and the late Central Richardson, both of Fort Pierce, Florida.
At a very young age I came to Philadelphia to live with my maternal grandparents-the late Hattie Mae (Montgomery) Toney and Edward J. Toney both residents of Sumter, South Carolina prior to moving to Florida.
I was educated both in Fort Pierce, Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I became a proud alumni of Simon Gratz High School. I played a variety of sports in high school and even though caring for my grandparents, who were in poor health, took up most of my time, I still became a quality athlete.
After high school I joined the United States Army. After serving three and one half years of active duty I was honorably dis-charged. After returning to Philadelphia I became a Philadelphia Correctional Officer, later joining the Fraternal Order of Police. I served in the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Law Enforcement System for twenty-seven years.
I retired from law enforcement and worked for Major League Baseball in the Commissioner of Baseball’s Office. There I worked as Regional Director of Security for thirteen years before retiring from that position.
As I look back over my life I must admit - I didn’t grow up in the best circumstances. However, it could have been worse. After evaluating and looking back, the Lord blessed me all my life, especially when he allowed me to meet the love of my life, my wife Alfreda (Myers) Williams, who I loved dearly. He blessed us with two daughters, Alvina Leona (Williams) Peat, her husband Ricardo Peat, and their daughter, Yolanda S. Peat, my daughter, Doreen (Williams) Gallman, her husband John Gallman, their daughter Gabrielle G. Gallman and my son Alvin L. Williams, Jr., his wife Zakia (Thomas) Williams, their children, Madison C. Williams, Resse L. Williams, and Alvin L. Williams, III.
The Lord blessed me with siblings, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, descendants from the Toney, Montgomery, and Richardson families, neighbors, and friends who I loved dearly.
Until we meet again may the Lord our Savior bless and keep you all.
Thank you Lord Jesus for all you have done for me.
