Douglas Arthur Williams

Douglas Arthur Williams, 72, of Mont Belvieu fought an aggressive form of cancer for almost two years and left us to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Doug was born on March 26, 1942 in Barbers Hill, TX to Katie Ingre and Solomon Ross Williams. Doug was proud to tell others that his great grandmother was the first person born in Barbers Hill.

He was the youngest of five brothers including Paul, Everett, and Rollie Williams, and Clay Fouts. One of twenty two graduates in his Barbers Hill High School class of 1960, he was also graduated from ACU with a degree in Business Administration in 1964. After seven years of pursuit he married Bethul Rice Williams on August 28, 1964 and was proud to call Bethul his wife for almost 50 years. Doug worked in family businesses from the time he was a young child and returned to work in the family grocery store in Mont Belvieu after graduation from ACU. His early career included 18 months with Exxon and 10 years with U.S. Steel.

Doug always had a passion for serving the Lord and dedicated his later career to ministry with Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown (12 years), Outreach Church of Christ in Mont Belvieu and Impact Houston Church of Christ (27 years). He served as song leader (since age 16), counselor, education minister and as champion of the poor. Doug was a founding member of the Impact Church that focuses its ministry on giving significance to the poor and to the homeless.

Doug became better equipped to serve through earning post graduate degrees in Biblical and Related Studies and in Marriage & Family Therapy. Doug's ministry focused on people that society disregards. The Lord taught Doug to see all people as having eternal value and significance. That lesson enabled Doug to be God's instrument to impact lives for good, to heal, and to extend compassion in ways that only God can do. He sponsored a recovery house and saw many lives changed as a result of the grace provided through that program. His greatest blessings in life include his family and the countless people whose lives were touched by the Lord through his service. Doug was known as a man of his word.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. Doug is survived by his loving wife, Bethul Williams of Mont Belvieu; sons, Stanton Williams and wife, Kelly of Keller, TX and Thayne Williams and wife, Shawna of Mena, AR; and by grandchildren, Maclaine, Garrison, and Jarrett, all of Keller, TX and Mason, Alexa, and Kaylee, all of Mena, AR. He's also survived by his brother, Paul Williams and wife Susie, of Mont Belvieu and sisters-in-law, Maydell Williams Brill of Baytown and Doris Williams of Houston.

There will be a memorial service Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Impact Houston Church of Christ, 1704 Weber, Houston, TX 77077. There will be a brief graveside service Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Tilton Cemetery on FM 565 in Cove in Chambers County. His family will receive friends afterwards beginning at 12:30p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Missouri Street Church of Christ, 3400 S. Hwy 146, Baytown, TX 77520.

In lieu of flowers the family will appreciate donations to the Impact Church at www.impacthouston.org.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.