Ralph Williams

A service to celebrate the life of Ralph Williams, 81, of Kershaw, will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at First Baptist Church, 210 North Matson Street, Kershaw. Burial will be in the Kershaw City Cemetery. Mr. Williams passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2012 with acute myeloid leukemia after 3 weeks of illness. He was the son of the late James Lucas and Minnie Elizabeth Connell Williams. He was a loving Husband, Daddy and Papa. He was a graduate of Baron Dekalb High School where he was a member of the FFA. He also attended Columbia Commercial College and Greenville Technical College. Mr. Williams had a long dedicated career in the textile and dye industry with Springs Mills, Cone Mills, American Color & Chemical and Crompton & Knowles. He was actively involved in his church, Meals on Wheels and the Kershaw Lions Club. He was passionate about helping others and was always concerned about meeting the needs of others. Mr. Williams was always a hard worker and started his first job by delivering the Columbia Record. He worked at the Dixie Home Store as well. He was instrumental in developing a patented dye for American Color & Chemical. Mr. Williams was involved in Youth Serve, Meals on Wheels, visiting the elderly through the community and Kershaw Lions Club. He loved being able to help with the Lions eye tests for school children. Also, he enjoyed the annual fundraiser for the Lions Club by selling Vidalia onions. He was proud of his 1950 Allis Chalmers tractor because it was built the same year he and his Sweetie got married. Mr. Williams was always teaching life lessons to his girls, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family will receive friends, Saturday, September 8, prior to the service from 10:30 to 12:00 noon in the church parlor. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 67, Kershaw, S.C. 29067 or Kershaw Lions Club, c/o Ginny Hendrix, 680 Discovery Road, Kershaw, S.C. 29067. Surviving are his wife, Ina Rose Roberts Williams; 3 daughters, Judy W. Howell (Bryan), Jacky W. Howard (Dwellion), Jtan W. Whisenant (David); special former son-in-law, W. Lynn Burris; 4 grandchildren, Stephanie H. Wright, W. Ryan Burris, Amber H. Keaton, A. Kyle Whisenant; 7 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Margie Reese, Pauline Redick and a brother, Jimmy Williams.