Mr. Johnny Williams Sr.

Mr. Johnny Williams, Sr. of Tampa, FL final earthly exchange was on Saturday, November 4, 2023.  Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Johnny Williams, Sr., will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Allen Temple African Episcopal Church, 2101 Lowe Steet, Tampa, Florida 33605, Rev. Dr. Glenn B. Dames, Jr., Pastor with Reverend Dr. John McKenzie, Officiating.  Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 East Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.

Mr. Johnny Williams Sr. was born to the late George Wilson Jr. and Deltha Russell on July 9, 1954.  He was the second of five siblings. He graduated from T. R. Robinson High School in 1973 where he was part of the 1972 defending State Champion Baseball team.  He also excelled at Football.  Shortly following his graduation, Johnny was drafted by the New York Mets and played Professional Baseball for two years. 

Johnny was joined in holy matrimony to his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Wilds, in March of 1978, and they had 4 children: Johnny Jr., LaToya, Javan Sr., and Ashley.

Johnny worked for 20 years for the Department of Juvenile Justice and received numerous awards for his outstanding service and dedication as a Juvenile Detention Deputy.  He was also an award-winning Football Coach, coaching the Jefferson High School Dragons in 2002 to the State Championship.  He also coached football at Tampa Catholic High School, Hillsborough High School, Blake High School, and Jefferson High School. He also coached the West Tampa Spartans Little League Football for many years.

Johnny was a former member of the United Methodist Men at Tyer Temple United Methodist Church and was most recently a member of the True Faith Inspirational Baptist Church under the auspices of Reverend Dr. John McKenzie, Pastor.

He was part of the Legends organization that mentored and tutored underserved children in schools throughout Hillsborough County. 

Johnny was preceded in death by: his parents; and one brother, Freddie Lee Williams, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife of  45 years, Cynthia Wilds Williams; sons, Johnny Williams Jr. and Javan Williams Sr (Nichole); daughters, LaToya Williams and Ashley Williams; grandchildren, Xavier Valentin, Josiah Valentin, Nicholas Harstad, Javan Williams, Jr., Amaya Williams, Jada Williams A’Mani Gambles, Mariah Williams, and Ka’lani Wiggins; great-grandchildren, Malani Valentin and Paris Valentin; sisters, Veola Mattox and Wanda Williams; brother, Leon Williams (Deria) of Henderson, Kentucky; brother-in-laws, Bobby Wilds (Lynda), Rev. Aron Wilds, Horace Wilds, and John Wilds (Sabrina); sisters-in-law, Ozepher Wilds, Jacqueline Wilds, Apostle JoAnn Russell, and Annette Wilds; nephews, Freddie L. Williams, Jr., Darryl L. Williams, Jacquari Mattox, Louis Bostick, Jr. (Rose), Reginald Bostick (Dessie), Garnell Wilds Sr. (Armis), Lincoln Simmons (Michelle), Bobby Wilds, Jr., Darren Pinckney (Lacey), Andrew Young (Raquel), John Wilds, Jr. (Natalie),, Delano Armstrong (Donnalisa), Oscar Terry (LeAndra), nieces, O’Quicha Mattox, Whitney Williams, , Freida Williams, Deirdre Williams, Dana Williams, Desiree L. Montes De Oco (Favio), Glenda Coleman, Dr. Debra Smith, Tonya Bostick, Jemelle Wilds, Attorney Jeria Wilds, Tammi Wilds; Toni Collins; Cheryl Collins, Iris Collins, Carla Wilds, Stacie Wilds, Glenette Bruce, Nicole Gyden (Clarence), LaTrice Russell, Darrolyn Jones, Volya Helm (Kevin)  Monica Hightower, Sonya James, Claricia Wilds, Andrea Young, Anita Jones (John), Sherice Wilds, Joy Wilds, Stacie L. Wilds, Brandy Wilds, Antoinette Green; cousins, Dr. Margaret A. Fisher, Theodore Allen, Robert Bostick, Jr. (Rowena), Patricia Jones, Darlene Smith (David), Clarence Bostick (Marlenda), William Bostick, Herbert Burney, Jr., Brenda Burney, Deborah Massey (Lee), Ricky Burney, Beverly Webb, Nathalie Balloon (Ulus), Bernice Allen, Mary Malcolm, Grover Long, Nita James; special friends, John Courtney (Celia), Cynthia Shellman Williams, Horace Burnett (Bobbi), Charles McDonald (Kim), Ruth Ayala, Deborah Caldwell (Donald), and Frank Williams; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 13, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners. http://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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