Ernest Williams

In his early years, Ernest made life long friends from his days on Calen Street located in NE Washington, DC. He was musically inclined and sang and played guitar with a local group called The Tears. He worked at the Florida Market butcher shop which led his family and friends to nick name him "Meat Market". He also greatly enjoyed cooking and this talent led him to many cooking jobs. While cooking at one local SE restaurant, he met his wife Sofia. Although they were from two different backgrounds, they shared many common goals and dreams and they married in September 1973. With his talent for cooking and her hard working skills, Ernest and Sofia, owned and managed the Happy Inn Restaurant on Good Hope Rd, SE from 1975 to 2003. Specializing in comfort and soul food, Ernest knew how we liked it! His home cooking, coupled with his wife’s famous iced tea and lemonade, was highly popular and enjoyed by those he served in and beyond his Southeast community.

Later in retirement, Ernest enjoyed gardening with his wife, spending time with his children and grandchildren, watching his beloved Redskins play football, hosted cook-outs for family and friends, reading his daily newspaper followed by an occasional political discussion and strumming his guitar every now and then. He also loved to dance and was the first one on the dance floor any time he heard Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Blessed with a loving family, Ernest is survived by his devoted wife Sofia Williams, his daughter Tishawn, two sons: Ernest Jr. (Joyce) and Anthony, eight grandchildren: Ernest III, Quinetta, Derick, Sierrah, Anthony Jr., Carlyle Jr., Avon, Misael and one great granddaughter, Taylor. He is also survived by one brother, Joseph Williams (Grace) of Brunswick, GA, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ernest is preceded in death by three brothers - James, Walter, and Bernard Williams and five sisters - Elizabeth Kinard, Nettie Daffin, Ruth Williams, Dorothy Harris and Marie Maynor.

We mourn his loss and are thankful for all the cherished memories. He will truly be missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Williams family.