Deacon Joel Williams was born December 18, 1957 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to Emma Jean Brown Williams and the late Samuel Williams, Sr. He was a 1977 graduate of Americus High School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas State University in Education in 1982. He was employed in Texas as an educator (Lunenburgh High School for 8 years) and (Lincoln High School in Dallas, Texas for 5 years).
Left to cherish his memories are a devoted mother, Emma Jean Brown Williams, Americus, Georgia; siblings, Alvin Williams, Americus, Georgia, Samuel Williams, Jr. (Jacqueline), Americus, Georgia, Stacey Williams, Americus, Georgia and 1SG James Eric Williams (Gigi), Stationed in Hawaii; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.