February 19, 1940 in Washington, D.C. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was
Baptized at the age of 14. He attended the New Mt. Olive Baptist Church where his
grandparents Authur and Ossie Williams were charter members.
Bernard as he was affectionately known, attended D.C. Public Schools. After “attending”
Spingarn High School Bernard’s father convinced him to join the United States Army. After a
few months his officers agreed that the military was not for him.
In 1958 Bernard began his career as a carpet mechanic with the Dynamic Dieners Rug
Company. He remained in this field for over 50 years with a variety of companies. He had the
reputation of being a fast worker, precise with his measurements and creative with his designs.
Bernard had a beautiful tenor voice. He sang with a local group of teen boys who appeared on
the Amateur Hour on WUST Radio. This event propelled his reputation in his neighborhood. All
the guys enjoyed singing with Bernard and the girls wanted him to sing to them. Bernard
considered music to be therapeutic. Whenever he concentrated on a job, he would hum a tune.
Bernard and his sister Garnetta loved attending weekend parties. One Saturday night at a
neighborhood party off Sheriff Road N.E., he met the love of his life, Alice Sampson. They were
married in June 1959. To this union two children were born; Donna Renee and Darryl Bernard.
Regretfully this union ended in divorce, but they remained life-long friends.
Bernard was a happy, free spirited man. In the early 70’s Bernard married LaDonna Spinks.
This marriage also ended in divorce. In 1976 Bernard married Pandora Webb. In this union he
received a stepdaughter; Nikeesha. On April 3, 1977 their only child was born; Lyman Bernard
Williams, Jr (Man). He preceded his father in death in 1994.
In January 2016 Bernard was diagnosed with Dementia. He spent his final years in the Cadia
Healthcare of Hyattsville Nursing and Rehab Center in Hyattsville, Md.
He leaves his family to mourn his passing. Daughter; Donna Williams Dixon (Darnell), son;
Darryl Williams (Krisie). One stepdaughter; Nikeesha, four grandsons; Tonio Calhoun, Darius
Williams, Shawn Kelly and Kaliah Chapman. Two Granddaughters; Jazmyn Goins (James) and
Sidney Williams. Two great granddaughters; Jayde and Jamaria Goins. Three sisters; Francina
Rogers (Harold) Susan G. Stewart of Washington D.C., and Leesa McKenzie (Scott) of
Greenbelt, Md. Two brothers; Harold Williams (Dorothy) of Pikesville, NC, and Stewart Williams
(Thelma) of Hyattsville, Md. Nine nephews, nine nieces, fifteen grand nephews, thirteen grand
nieces, twelve great-grand nephews and nine great-grand nieces, a host of cousins, a special
friend/co-worker; Mr. Memphis and a grand uncle; Mac Thompson, Toccoa, Georgia.
Let the record show… Bernard was truly loved.
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