Jack Williams, 93, of West Columbia, SC, died at his home at Still Hopes Retirement Community on November 16, 2025.

He was born in Flint, MI, in 1932 to Sidney “Roy” Williams and Mable (Bennett) Williams, but grew up in Durban, SA, from the time he was four. Jack served from 1960 to ‘64 with South African Baptist Missionary Society [that provided hospitals, schools, pastor training and churches for the Bantu tribes in the copper belt] at two mission stations in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) where his two youngest sons were born. Shortly after the birth of his youngest son, the Williams Family journeyed from South Africa to the United States via England and settled in Columbia, SC. Jack’s wife, Dorey, commented that with one person with a US passport, three with South African passports and two with British passports, she felt like a delegation from the United Nations.

Settling into life in Columbia, SC, meant finding a church. Jack has been a member of Augusta Street Church for over 60 years. He served as a Deacon, Treasurer, Elder and finally Elder Emeritus. Church was a central part of life for the Williams Family and two of Jack’s sons went on to serve as Deacons and Treasurer at Augusta Street Church as well.

Jack became the Treasurer and Comptroller of SC Farm Bureau and retired from this position after serving nearly forty years. When Jack “retired,” he became the Director of White Fields Ministry. An organization which was conceived, created and incorporated at Augusta Street Church. White Fields Ministry supports indigenous pastors in Japan, Africa and the Philippines. It finds and supports fledgling pastors on a diminishing scale until they are fully supported by their own church. Jack’s position as Director required occasional travel to the Philippines and Africa.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Dorey “Meema” (Platt); his sister, Peggy (Wallace) Murray; and his grandson, Ian Williams. He is survived by his sister, Shirley (Ian) Dellar; his four sons, Edward (Vivian), Clayton (Julie), Norman (Ellen), and Roy (René); nine of his ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Family Visitation is 2:00 pm, Friday, December 5th at the Mansion at Still Hopes Retirement Community, 1 Still Hopes Dr, West Columbia, SC 29169, followed by the Memorial Service at 4:00 pm in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Still Hopes. A reception will follow directly after the service back in the Mansion.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Augusta Street Church, 603 Augusta Street, West Columbia, SC 29169 or White Fields Ministry (whitefields.org), would be greatly appreciated.