Celebrating the extraordinary life of Mr. Frank Luke Peoples Williams

It was the year 1941 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt had recently delivered his Four Freedoms Speech to the nation. The four freedoms, which would be the precursor to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations.

It was a beautiful Sunday Morning in the spring that ushered in the life of Mr. Frank Luke Peoples Williams on the 18th of May, 1941 in Kingsland, GA to the late Jesse Williams & Odessa (Peoples) Cooper.

Roosevelt's speech was of more significance than most could know, but it would embody the life of Mr. Williams as he was a staunch example of what those 4 freedoms embodied.

Freedom of speech and expression,

Freedom to worship God in their own way,

Freedom from want, and

Freedom from fear.

Frank was raised in Waycross, GA by a village of strong and courageous people which primarily included his grandparents Frank & Lola Peoples.

Frank was known amongst his friends as the life of the party and never hesitated to express his freedom of speech as he was often a jokester. Mr. Williams attended school during the tumultuous times of the Jim Crow segregated south but persevered and completed his education after attending Bailey Street Elementary School and later graduating from Center High School in 1959.

As the older brother to Elijah Reddish and Lola Reddish-McNeil, Frank set an example amongst his siblings by becoming one of the city's greatest football players, who earned the nickname "Waycross Flash" as a Halfback. He excelled in the sport and still to this day holds several Center High football records. His standout football career is memorialized in the Center High School Museum.

After his high school graduation, Frank received a football scholarship to attend the prestigious Historically Black College and University, Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, GA where he would study physical education.

Following his time at Morris Brown, Frank served honorably in the United States Army. He served at bases in both Japan and Korea.

After he was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1965, Frank immediately made his way to Niagara Falls in search of the one thing that kept his heart and mind at peace, The late Barbara LaFrance Cooke (Williams) whom he met on the steps of Morris Brown College on the first day of their freshman year and continued to exchange love letters with throughout his time in the military and school.

Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

What began as a visit to see the woman who had occupied his heart and mind during his time in the military, turned into a lifetime of happiness with Ms. Barbara as they wed one year later, on August 13, 1966.

Of that union, two beautiful and intelligent daughters were born, Jacinta Pierette LaFrance Williams & Gradycia LeAna Barbara Williams. Frank loved his daughters deeply and ensured they exercised their freedoms from want and fear by helping to provide them a safe, stable, comfortable life while instilling self reliance, the importance of education, love of travel, and the peace of mind that no matter what they would always have "a key and a quarter to come home."

Frank was a hardworking man who, as a young person, worked as a golf caddie to earn money for clothes, dates, & movies. After getting settled in Niagara Falls, Frank worked briefly as a teacher in the Niagara Falls School District before becoming the Executive Director of NiCAP (Niagara Community Action Program). After his impactful time in the Niagara Falls Community, Mr. Williams went on to serve in management at several local chemical plants including Carborundum and OxyChem.

Frank was known amongst his close friends and family as a "character", who loved to keep up 'mess' and keep people laughing. Though he could be adamantly fair, firm and direct, he loved to laugh, joke and have fun. His smile was infectious, never leaving a room without leaving those behind smiling and laughing.

After the love of family, the three interests that held Frank's attention were travel, food, and sports. He was an avid traveler who visited every state in the US by cruising the highways and byways during three cross country road trips, as well as The Caribbean, Europe, Japan, Korea, South America and Mexico. He liked to cook and was a "Foodie," long before the term became popular and had a favorite restaurant in every city he & his family visited.

Although he hung up his cleats after college, he maintained his competitive fire. Frank was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the NY Yankees, Buffalo Bills & LA Lakers. The emergence of Tiger Woods reignited his love of golf and he became an avid golfer with a decent handicap.

Not one to sit around and desire to stay active and keep his wife happy, Frank continued to work after his retirement. He would go on to work with The Niagara Falls Housing Authority and Tops Markets where he continued to bring smiles to peoples day.

While Frank most often could be found working or in his man cave, he served as a member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and briefly as a Mason in Electric City Lodge #49 Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons.

Frank was a God fearing man who was a member of the St. John AME Church where he held past positions on the Trustee Board and Mens' Day Captain.

Frank leaves priceless wisdom and fond memories to cherish by his greatest accomplishments, daughters Jacinta and Gradycia, as well as a host of loving nieces, beloved nephews, dear cousins and special friends. He was predeceased by his beautiful wife of 54 years, Barbara LaFrance Cooke-Williams, brother, Elijah Reddish, and sister, Lola R. McNeil.

Friends may call at St. John AME Church, 917 Garden Avenue on Sunday, January 15 from 3 to 5 P.M. Homecoming Services are Monday at St. John AME Church with a viewing starting at 11 A.M with the funeral service at Noon. Burial will be private.