The Reverend Rodney Lee Dr. Williams

The Reverend Dr. Rodney Lee Williams, age 80, passed away May 25, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born August 28, 1936, in Abilene, Texas to Clyde and Velma (Hill) Williams. He was a graduate of McMurry University and the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Theron "Bill" Williams.

Rev. Williams is survived by his wife, Belva Williams; daughters, Beverly Milam, Joan Edelen and husband Chris, Linda Henry and husband Paul; sons, John McLain and wife Tracy, David McLain and wife Stacy; grandchildren, Matthew Milam, Kevin Milam, Christopher Edelen, Daniel Edelen, Emma McLain, Tyler McLain, Samuel McLain, Scout McLain, Justin Sedillo, Brandon Sedillo and Heather Sedillo.

Rodney Williams was a man who loved.

Rodney loved God. And he believed that God loved him.

Rodney loved his family. His children and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He tried to be there for them in every way. For over 50 years he attended an endless number of sport events, concerts, and special ceremonies honoring them and enjoying every minute of it.

Rodney loved the United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of McMurry University in Abilene and Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He was ordained in 1960. For the first part of his ministry he was a member of the Northwest Texas Conference of the UMC where he served churches in West Texas. In 1974 Rodney moved to the New Mexico Conference of the UMC, serving churches in Carlsbad and Roswell, NM and also El Paso, Texas. He served as Director of the NM Conference Council in 1982-1984. For the last 6 years of his ministry he was on special appointment, working as a Director and then President of Ward, Dreshman and Reinhardt assisting churches with capital fund campaigns. He retired in 1998. In his retirement, he conducted funerals for Porter Loring Mortuary in San Antonio. He was a volunteer for the Institute of Texan Culture, Meals on Wheels, Airport Ambassadors, and Methodist Stone Oak Hospital as a chaplain.

Rodney loved people. He tried to keep up with everyone he ever knew. He had friends from his childhood in Sweetwater, Texas all the way to neighbors he just met.

Rodney loved music. He was a good musician. He played the piano, clarinet, and could sing …. especially hymns, always on pitch. He was all-State Band at Sweetwater High School both his junior and senior year.

Rodney loved books. He owned a small collection of books on theology and on Charles Wesley. He was a history buff, especially loving Texas History. He collected many Texas History books as well as novels based on Texas History.

Rodney loved vehicles. He owned a variety of them over the years…. a Model T Flatbed truck that he had put together from parts he gathered from fields in West Texas, a ski boat, a couple of Oldsmobile Toronados, a travel trailer, a 1967 Alpha Romeo Spider, a 1991 Porsche 911, and finally his beloved 2003 King Ranch.

Rodney loved to travel with Belva. Their travels included countries in Europe and the Americas. Part of their "Bucket List" was to visit all 50 states, which they completed with a visit to Minnesota in 2008.

Rodney loved life. It was a life well lived and well loved.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY

JUNE 5, 2017

2:00 P.M.

COKER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

231 E. NORTH LOOP RD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.