Jerry Williams

February 17, 1944 - April 17, 2020

Jerry grew up in Chicago between 47th to 51st and King Drive to Cottage Grove, this area was affectionately called "the Valley." Jerry started working as a baker at an early age. Many of his siblings remember him bringing home bread and sweets. Jerry had good work Ethics and instilled those same values in many of his siblings and later to his kids. He was known in the baker's industry as a "Master Baker" and owned two bakeries in his lifetime. He made wedding cakes for many people in the family. On another beautiful note, Jerry was an excellent Guitarist. There was always live music around his house. Jerry would play the Lead, his brother Bay would play the Bass, and his other brother from another mother Vincent would play the Drums. These three were the life of the neighborhood. The entire community would come to listen to these brothers play. 50th Street was like Bourbon Street in the 60th and 70th. Jerry had a gentle soul; he was known in the family for being kind and generous. He loved his family and would do anything for them; everyone in the family felt safe around him. He fell asleep in death early Friday morning, April 17, 2020. He was preceded in death by his dad Joseph Williams; his mom Beatrice Braswell; and four siblings, Dorothy Williams, Priscilla Brown, Veatrice Zirbel, and Fiesta Williams. Jerry leaves to cherish his loving memories, four children Steven Joseph Williams Sr. (Lashawnda), Miciah Jeremy Williams (Carmen), Jerry Zechariah Williams Jr. (Farrah), and Jerretta Beatrice Williams; six grandchildren Eujennie (E.J.) Williams, Jerry (J.R.) Williams, Nasia Williams, Chloe Williams, Steve Williams Jr., and Jeremy Williams; seven siblings Brenda Hill, Jeremiah Williams, Lee Dale Williams, Cornelia Johnson, Laretta Scott (Joe), Valerie Davis, and Elaine Ollie; 53 nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.