Rod and I didn't give our lives to Jesus until we were in our thirties. Joining a church was a somewhat scary endeavor. Harry and Joyce were among the people who made us feel we truly belonged--and more importantly, convinced us that Oakhurst First Baptist was a God-honoring, Bible-teaching church. 
I will always remember Harry teaching the kids about missionaries during our VBS. I was in the sound booth, so I benefitted from Harry's teaching as well! One could so clearly see the love Harry had for kids, and how much he loved sharing Christ and the hope that comes with knowing Him.

I was truly blessed the day Jean introduced Harry into my life.  I was asked to help him with decorating his new house .  We went shopping, shopping, and more shopping and had so much fun!  Harry asked me, on one of our shopping trips, if he could buy a purple couch.  I said Harry, you can buy anything you wish.  I think a purple couch is just what you need in your life.
I hope he has a purple couch in heaven.  I will miss our Harry.

I will always remember Harry as the sweet, gentle man that helped welcome us to your Oakhurst home for our quilt meetings.

Joyce, I was so sorry to hear of Harry's passing, but I'm so happy that you shared a life of love and happiness! My prayers are with you...

Harry was a gentle, warm man of God.  He always put God first and made each person he met feel special.  Our love and prayers to you and your family at this time.  Larry & Evelyn Wiedner
Pioneer, Ca.

I had tears in my eyes as I read the following words from Harry’s wife, Joyce Williams, a few days ago . . . “One of your most enthusiastic supporters has gone to Glory!” I am truly humbled because other than it being a God thing, I don't really know why he was. I just know I am so thankful for his support and encouragement over the years. When I was just starting out in full-time vocational evangelism, Harry was the 1st one to invite me to speak at a state evangelism conference and I am eternally grateful for that unbelievable opportunity! In subsequent years, he invited me to preach “revival” meetings where he was the lay-evangelism director. If ever anyone knew how to prepare a church for such a meeting, it was Harry! We were privileged to see many making decisions to follow Jesus. I also had the blessing of sharing many meals with him and being fed spiritually, as he would share from his years of experience serving the Lord. One of those meals ended on a humorous note, which his wife Joyce, suggested I share here on this obituary site.

Harry was telling fascinating stories about the good old days and how he would preach back-to-back revival meetings each lasting 2 weeks in length (he would preach some 56 times over the 4 weeks)! One of his trips involved chartering a small prop type plane with a friend to fly down to Barstow to begin a meeting. The plane had natural air-conditioning (that would be the holes all over where the cold air would blow in) and no heater. They even resorted to using bubble gum to try to block the holes as it got colder and colder and neither had a coat. They were ecstatic when the pilot said he had a thermos of coffee. Harry said they killed that coffee in an effort to keep from freezing. They were planning on stopping in Fresno on the way down but the pilot said that since Harry’s friend had been late, they would not have time to stop if they had any hope for making it to the church on time. Now while coffee has a warming effect, it also has other side effects that are unpleasant to say the least when you are up a few thousand feet in the air with no restroom! As the total flying time exceeded 5 hours, they desperately needed to make a bathroom break. In addition to freezing they were now being tortured in a totally different way!  
 
As Harry was finishing many of the other details of the story, the pastor of the church where I was preaching the revival meeting, Richard Cavoretto, was writing on one of the napkins at the restaurant. He mentioned that they could have summed up their experience with these words, which he had penned on that napkin ... “We killed the coffee and now the coffee is killing us!!!!” 

We got up to leave and pay the cashier and as we were waiting at the front, one of the servers came up to us looking extremely distressed. She had a panicked look on her face and apologetically asked,  “Did you all have the coffee today?” It seemed like a strange question until we saw she had the napkin in her hand and assumed it was THEIR coffee that was killing us! We couldn't keep from laughing as she attempted to refund our money, probably hoping to avoid a lawsuit!

I do miss Harry but I am rejoicing with him in his new position. Thank you, God, for the gift of Harry Williams!

It has been so healing to read all these comments.  Thank you for taking the time to write.  It was an honor to have been his wife these nine years.

When I was just starting out as a pastor here in CA, Harry was always available to encourage me, mentor me, pray with me... he always made me feel loved and appreciated. I was impressed when I would see him at the State Convention or other events that he would remember my name with him having so many pastors to whom he ministered. He was truly a gift to our State and the Kingdom of God. May you take comfort in knowing Harry is getting a marvelous saint's welcome at Home.

Harry became my D.Min. advisor/mentor in 1978-9 while I did my project on discipleship evangelism. He preached a revival while I was at Ripon and he led discipleship retreats, where I met Billie Hanks,Jr. and Rick Warren (still a student at Southwestern). Fond memories of a great man of God!

I can never forget how our family, the Pitts, and the Williams family went caroling on Christmas Eve throughout our neighborhood in Fresno. Then I so appreciated Harry's gentle leadership when I joined a youth evangelism team in the '70's. My condolences go to Joyce, Judy and Steve. He was a great man.

I remember Harry Williams as a "man of God" a soul winner and advocate of Lay Renewals. He led in 2 Lay Renewals in 2 different Churches where I served as the Pastor and many lives were changed!
Pastor John F. May, Ph.D
Rio Bravo Valley Baptist Church
Bakersfield, CA

For several years I worked for Harry as the Department of Evangelism secretary.  He was a wonderful boss who walked what he talked.  I saw this up close...His heart for evangelism and discipleship training during my time at the State Offices were at the very core of the "boss" I knew.  He loved pastors and churches always willing to extend himself in whatever way he could to be helpful....I am grateful for those years of serving with such a transparent and compassionate man of God.  I am confident he is where he longed to be.  I send 
Joyce, Judy and Steve along with their families my heartfelt symphathy...what a loss for them.

Harry was always a pastor at heart. He wanted everyone he met to know Christ and the hope that only He can give. His pastor's heart is reflected in his son, Steve Williams, pastor of Northpointe Community Church, Fresno. Even though we know that there will be no evangelism in Heaven, I wouldn't be surprise if Harry has even asked a few if they are Christians. Thanks for your example. My condolences to the whole family.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I praise the Lord for Harry Williams and his great influence/impact on my life!  I was one of the young people who served on the Cal. Summer Evangelism programs (twice).  It was a pleasure to know Harry and hang out at his home one evening.  Heaven just added a real saint!  We will all miss him certainly!  Pastor Mike

Harry Williams modeled the very best as a follower of Christ and ministry leader: extending grace to everyone, opening doors of opportunity for the next generation and championing creativity for people at every age & season of life. See you later, old friend.

Harry was always smiling as he gently and enthusiastically introduced our young innovative pastors to leaders of our plateaued and declining churches.  His countenance radiated the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He has been a model for my ministry since my seminary days at Golden Gate.  We will miss Harry.  He has left a huge legacy which has forever changed us as California Southern Baptists.  Our prayers are for the many family and friends who have loved him so.

From my earliest years in ministry it has been my priviledge to have Harry as a mentor and example.  He was always close to my heart.  The State convention during the "Williams" years always held up evangelism as it's priority" at least that's how I remember it.  And that was largely due to Harry.  His going home is our great loss but of course it is Heaven's great gain.  
     Mike & Debbie Janz

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Betty and I send our love and prayer to the Williams family.  Harry Williams was such an encouragement to our ministry and was a great evangelism director for California.  What a blessing to have him as a leader and friend.

Harry was a pioneer in Multiplication Evangelism and understood the need for personal follow up and disciple making decades before other Christian leaders.  His integrity, close friendship, and great consistency have been an inspiration to all of us who knew and loved him.  Billie and Carol Anne Hanks International Evangelism Association, Salado, Texas

I was blessed to know Brother Williams personally since 1972 when I served on a Cal Baptist Revival Team. I was involved in both Lay Renewal and the Billie Hanks Discipleship process under his overall direction. While Pastoring in Norwalk I had Bro. Harry come preach a revival with us. We had a great picnic after the Sunday service. I remembering him playing a "mean and lean" game of croquet. 
He was always a great supporter of the Pastors in the state. 
I'm so glad Harry is with the Lord. I am sad he is not with us. 
We love you Harry!

Harry was a very special person and helped me as a pastor.  He was an encourager for lay people using the lay renewal moverment.

Harry Williams taught me so much about evangelism and about wittnessing.He was one of my heroes in my early years of ministry. I had the honor of providing music in some of His revivals and it was a blessing to me.Our great loss and Heavens gains.

I never had the priviledge of knowing this Godly man, but even today as I read about the life that he has lived, he is reigniting that desire in my life to do more for the great and mighty God that I serve.   
And to the Lord Jesus, Thank you for the life of Harry Williams, your good and faithful servant.  
I am the worship leader at a small church and have recently been feeling like my ministry impact has come to be insignificant.  Thank you Harry for helping me to see that all that we do is not for ourselves, but for the legacy we leave behind.  Even as you exit this worldly place, God is using you.  Harry's life has blessed me beyond words today.

Harry was a wonderful gift from God.  He enriched our lives as young Christians and continued to enrich all of us who knew him. He is still "enjoying the journey"!

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time! You are in my thoughts & prayers.

I thank God for the foresight He gave Harry.  Harry saw the future and encouraged the next generation of leaders.  May we all become as Christ-like as he was.

OBITUARY

Harry Williams

August 9, 1926 – May 28, 2011

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

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