The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1920-03-12
LIFE HISTORY OF
". 0. WILLIAMS WHO
DIED RECENTLY
At FORT MEADE

OF the life Of w. o. Williams, the
Fort Meade Leader says:
w. o. Williams was born in Me-
shoba county, Mississippi, February
9Th, 1873. and died at his home in
Fort Meade, Florida, March 5, 1920,
aged AZ years and one month.
Mr.. Williams early life was spent
on the farm in Mississippi. Later the
family removed to Texas, but after
wards returned to his native state. In
early manhood he was converted and
later felt called to the work of the
ministry. From infancy he has suf-
fered from frequent severe ATTACKS Of
asthma Many times we have heard
him relate the circumstances con-
nected with his healing Of this dis
ease. One Sunday morning he was
on his way to fill an appointment
when he began to suffer from an at
tack Of asthma. He knew that he
would be unable to preach in that
condition. So he dismounted' tied his
EoiAe and knelt by the roadside in
earnest prayer, While praying he was
instantly relieved of the asthma, and
though he frequently underwent great
exposure the disease never returned.
About 20 years ago Bro. Williams
came to Florida and located with his
family on the cid camp ground near
Poole Branch. For many years his
entire time was devoted to the minis
try He not only preached to his
home congregation, but he travelled
extensively in evangelistic work
throughout &e state, frequently an
swering calls for meetings in the
neighboring states. Bro. Williams
strong personality enabled him to
make friends wherever he went. In
1918 he consented to have his name
rlaced on the list as candidate for
the State Legislature from Polk coun-
ty and was afterwards elected by
large majority. At the time Of his
death he was in the race for second
term in the Legislature.
During his residence in Fort Meade
Bro. Williams also served as Justice
of the Peace where he always per-
formed the duties of his office in
conscientious manner.
In his death Polk county loses one
OF its best men. Some one has said
that he had more friends than any
other man in the county, but his in
fiuence extended further than within
! his own county, for he was known
throughout the state. While in Tai
lahassee he made many warm friends
and among them was the governor of
the state.
At the time Of his death he was
acting as deputy state inspector of
hotels. He was stricken down at St.
Petersburg with apoplexy on the
night Of February 25th. The attack
was brought on by overwork. He
was taken at once to the City Hospi-
tai where everything possible was
done to bring about his recovery.
The physician in charge thought that
he would recover, but said that |.
would require a long time. He was
conscious all the time and earnestly
requested that he should be taker
home. Accordingly he was brought
to his home In Fort Meade on last
Thursday, March 4th, where he pass
ed away early the next morning.
In 1897 Bro. Williams was united
in marriage to Miss Alice Miller who
survives him and Is engaged as one
OF the teachers in the Fort Meade
public school. He also leaves three
sons, Bozeman, Myrl and Warren, and
one daughter, Miss Willie, who is a
student in the Womans College at
Tallahassee.
The funeral service was conducted
at the home Sunday afternoon at $3.50
o'clock by Rev. Geo. O. Coplin. The
funeral text was James 4:14: "For
what is your life? It is even vapor,
that appeareth for a little time, and
then vanisheth away
The funeral was largely attended
ard only few could get within hear
ing distance OF the minister. Inter
ment was made in Evergreen ceme-
tory ana the grave was literally Gov
cred with beautiful flowers, tokens Of
love and friendship and high esteem
The entire community deeply re-
greet the death of Bro. Williams and
all join in extending their heartfelt
sympathy to Mrs. Williams and the
children in their deep Bereavement
WANTED - Furnished cottage or
ana ,.fr napt. iroYoad;oto ooauna. A.,