ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Dougherty County said goodbye today to a pillar of the Albany community. Bishop Frederick Williams Sr., founder of Stop the Violence and a dedicated member of numerous boards and councils throughout Albany, was laid to rest today in a service filled with both tears and joyful celebration.

A life of conviction and compassion

Members of the clergy, city and county officials, national leaders, and the entire Albany community came together at Gethsemane Worship Center International to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Bishop Frederick Williams Sr.

U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop Jr. spoke to the profound nature of Bishop Williams’ work:

“Bishop Dr. Frederick Williams Sr. was a man who married conviction with compassion, preaching comfort while organizing justice. He had a call to both prayer and practice.”

A bridge builder in Albany

Albany Police Chief Michael Persely highlighted one of Bishop Williams’ most remarkable achievements—his ability to unite people across differences.

“Bishop was able to do something that very few have been able to do here in the City of Albany—and that’s bring people with different opinions together to sit down and talk it out.”

Dougherty County Chairman and Pastor Lorenzo Heard encouraged the community to recognize the impact Bishop Williams had on their lives:

“Today, somebody who has touched your life—hug them once. No, hug them twice and let them know the impact they have made on your life.”

A Musical Tribute from His Son

Most notably, Bishop Williams’ son fought through his own grief to take the stage where he and his father once stood together in song and worship. Playing the saxophone, he dedicated his music as a tribute to his dad—doing what Bishop Williams did best: singing and preaching the Word of God.

The questions that echo

As the service progressed with music and praise, Eulogist Bishop Kenneth Wayne Paramore posed powerful questions to those gathered:

“Can anybody testify that you are better because of what Bishop Frederick Williams is leaving? Can anyone testify that knowing him made you better? Frederick has changed so much for so many people because he decided to walk with God.”

A Son’s Promise

Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Frederick Williams Jr. took the microphone to speak about his father:

“My daddy would’ve loved this. He loved all of y’all, and y’all know that. He was friendly. I ain’t. But I’m learning how to be a little more like him.”

In those words, lay the true legacy of Bishop Frederick Williams Sr.—not just in what he accomplished during his lifetime, but in the lives, he touched and the people he inspired to become better versions of themselves.

Bishop Frederick Williams Sr. founded Stop the Violence and served on numerous councils throughout Albany. He will be remembered as a man who bridged divides, spoke with conviction, and lived with unwavering faith.

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