Mr. Herbert Lawrence Williams

On the evening of September 7, 2013, Herbert Lawrence Williams peacefully passed away after a long illness. He was surrounded by family members, friends and caregivers at the Park at Trowbridge in Southfield, Michigan. Herbert was born on February 27, 1926 to Charles Herbert Williams and Florida (Beaver) Williams in Pontiac, Michigan. He and his sister, Barbara—whom he affectionately called “Doll”—were orphaned at an early age and were raised by their paternal grandparents, Texie and Elias Williams. He attended Bagley School and graduated from Pontiac Senior High School. He then joined the United States Army and served his country during World War II in Germany. Upon Herbert’s return home from military service, he enrolled at the University of Michigan. He studied Business and Accounting and joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. During his college years, he met and married his wife of over fifty years, Thelma Turner. He graduated from the University of Michigan with the highest honors, earning a B.S. degree and the coveted Phi Beta Kappa Key for academic excellence. He became one of the first licensed Certified Public Accountants in the State of Michigan. He and Thelma then moved to Detroit and had two sons, Charles Lawrence and David Michael. Herbert was both a businessman and an entrepreneur. He served the City of Detroit for over twenty years as an accountant and as Deputy Director of Economic Development. He also owned a property management firm and a gas station located on Fort Street in downtown Detroit. In his 50’s, he enrolled in the Wayne State University School of Law and became a licensed tax attorney. Due to medical disability, he was never able to practice law. Herbert was a man of many interests and talents. He loved to travel and took many trips throughout the United States and abroad in Europe and South America. He especially loved innovative gadgets. Herbert bought the earliest television video system—the Beta Max—and also the earliest pocket calculators. He loved photography, documenting his many trips on slides, which he and Thelma screened on holidays for family and friends. In addition, he kept Thelma, an excellent cook, supplied with all the latest kitchen equipment.

Mr. Herbert Lawrence Williams

February 27, 1926 - September 7, 2013