William (Bill) Williams Celebration of Life

GATHERING

Dying, Christ destroyed our death.

Rising, Christ restored our life.

Christ will come again in glory.

As in baptism Bill Williams put on Christ,

so in Christ may Bill be clothed with glory.

Here and now, dear friends, we are God's children.

What we shall be has not yet been revealed;

but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is.

Those who have this hope purify themselves

as Christ is pure.

Prayer

O God, giver of life and conqueror of death, our help in every time of trouble, we trust that you do not willingly grieve or afflict us. Comfort us who mourn; and give us grace, in the presence of death, to worship you, that we may have the sure hope of eternal life     and be enabled to put our whole trust in your goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Hope

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.

Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death.

Because I live, you shall live also.

Friends, we have gathered here today to praise God

and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Bill Williams.

We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.

May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort,

in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

A Time to Remember

William E. “Bill” Williams of Jackson, Ohio and formerly of Shawnee, Ohio passed away on Wednesday October 25th, 2023, at the age of 94. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and a life well lived.

Bill was born on August 2, 1929, to the late Theodore and Edna Severance. After the passing of his mother when he was eleven weeks old, he was adopted by his aunt & uncle, Ruth Severance Williams and Hugh David Williams. He was a graduate of Shawnee High School Class of 1947, where he excelled in basketball and played for Walter Harrop, who was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.

After High School, he married the love of his life, Delores Harris Williams, on October 1, 1950. They celebrated 73 years of marriage and had known each other for 90 years. Bill treasured his family above all else and created countless cherished memories with them. He was not only a loving parent and grandparent/great grandparent, but also a loyal and supportive friend to many.

Throughout his professional career, Bill demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill. He was an employee of the Shawnee Clay Craft until he was hired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a game protector in 1964. It was at this time he was assigned to Jackson County. He was promoted to District 4 Law Enforcement Supervisor in 1969. He served in this position until he retired in 1995. His colleagues held him in high regard for his leadership and work ethic, which left a lasting impact on the organization. Upon retirement, his passion was taking care of his lawn and his family.

Outside of work, Bill had many passions and interests. He was an active member of the Shawnee Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and a member at Calvary United Methodist Church of Jackson. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, who loved the outdoors, and he shared his enthusiasm for these activities with friends and family and coworkers. Most of his stories involved all of these including James Rhodes and Bob Evans.

Bill is survived by his wife, Delores (Harris) Williams; children, Dain who is married to (Jackie) Williams, Cheri who is married to (Phillip) Howe, and Jill who is married to (Brian) Davis; grandchildren, Courtney (Brian) Howe, Morgan (Misty) Williams, Bryn (Mandy) Williams, Brandon (Genevieve) Davis, Dylan (Courtney) Howe, Katy (Jim) Jones, and Amelia (Cody) Roseberry; as well as 13 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Don, Duane, Dick, Tom, and Ronnie Severance; and grandchildren, Lacey and Colin Howe.

The Level and the Square

By Rob Morris

We meet upon the level and we part upon the square These words have precious meaning and are practice everywhere Come let us contemplate them, they are worthy of a thought From the ancient times of Masonry, these symbols have taught We meet upon the level, every country, sect, and creed The rich man from his mansion, the poor man from the field For wealth is not considered within our outer door And we all meet on the level upon the checker floor.

We act upon the Plumb the Junior Warden states We walk upright throughout our lives, we seek the pearly gates The All-seeing Eye that reads our hearts doth bears us witness true That we shall try to honor God and give each man his due We part upon the square as all good Masons do We mingle with the multitude a faithful band and true So the brotherhood of Masonry from every corner come To meet upon the level and act upon the plumb

There’s a world where all are equal we’re coming to it fast We shall meet upon the level there when the days on earth are past We shall stand before the altar and our Master will be there To try the blocks we offer with his own unerring square We shall meet upon the level there but never thence depart There’s a Mansion…’tis all ready for each trusting, faithful heart There’s a Mansion and a welcome and a multitude is there Who has met upon the level and been tried upon the square?

Let us meet upon the level that while these earthly ties we share And just hope we’re there to answer when the roll is called up there As we travel through our lifespan time aids us to prepare To gather up our working tools and part upon the square So remember all our teachings, that bright fraternal chain We part upon the square below to meet in heaven again These words have precious meaning and are practiced everywhere We meet upon the level and we part upon the square.

Psalm 23 NASB95

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Funeral Sermon

The Death of a Saint

Genesis 23:2 NASB95

Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Genesis 23:19 NASB95

After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Introduction: We find in Genesis chapter 23 the death of a saintly woman and the response of a saintly husband to her death. We will learn, then, how we as followers of Christ are to respond to death when we walk through the valley of its shadow.

Let me offer you three pieces of advise as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, as David calls it.

1. The first piece of advise is GRIEVE (21:1–2).

There is something sudden and final about the way this chapter begins. Yet, there is something of fulfillment and completion about it as well. Sarah’s life was certainly one of struggle—being given to two other men while married to Abraham, tension with Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant, battles with infertility, moving around the country and living in a tent. Yet, her life was also one of blessing—seeing her husband grow stronger in faith, giving birth to Isaac which brought her laughs of joy, living beside the oases and the groves of trees, experiencing the faithfulness of God’s Word, living in anticipation of the land belonging to her son’s sons. After all is said and done, Sarah had a good life. She ended it with joy and satisfaction in the Lord her God. But her life has ended, and for Abraham this brings a deep sense of loss. Abraham mourns and weeps for her (v. 2).

Death is a time of loss and grief. We as Christians should be the first to acknowledge this truth. Death is a result of our fall into sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 3:23). We are created as human beings with bodies. It is not the way it is supposed to be when our spirit is removed from our body and we cease to live on this earth. It is a horrible thing that we experience physical death, lose our bodies, and lose physical contact with our loved ones.

Abraham weeps at this loss. So, too, does our Lord. The Bible says that at the funeral of Lazarus, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus enters into our pain, into our loss, into our grief. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses …” (Heb. 4:15).

2. The Second piece of advise is REMAIN CONNECTED.

Abraham needs a burial place for his bride. He owns no property. He is a stranger in the land. Yet, the Hittites appear to have great respect for Abraham calling him a “mighty prince” or a “Prince of God.” Although the Hittites offer him a gift of land, He will accept no gift from the world. The Hittites by speaking well of Abraham and by offering him a borrowed place to bury his wife are attempting to keep Abraham landless. Though they respect him, at least in words of honor, they are threatened by his presence and seek to deter him from owning land and of losing their own hold on the land.

Abraham will not receive something for nothing from the pagan culture. He pays full price for the chosen place, the cave of Machpelah and the adjacent grove of trees. No human being can say they had a part in making Abraham the great man that he had become. All that Abraham has is a gift not from men but from God.

3. The third piece of Advise is to LIVE BOLDLY.

The land transfer is finalized. We also see the final act of Sarah’s burial in the cave. The text is clear to highlight the fact that Abraham now owns a piece of the land (vv. 18, 20). The importance of this detail is that it shows us faith, faith that God will fulfill His Word and promise to Abraham by giving the land. He buries Sarah in this first installment of land in anticipation of inheriting the entire land.

In chapter 22 when Abraham offered up Isaac we learned that Abraham believed God could raise the dead (cf. Heb. 11:17–19). Abraham purchases a burial plot in the Promised Land for his now dearly departed wife in anticipation that God will raise her and give her the promise fulfilled.

This burial site would become the burial place of Abraham himself and in future years also of Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob. We read in Hebrews 11:13 that “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them.…” The spiritual heritage of one generation was passed on to the next. An intergenerational legacy that anticipates the fulfillment of God’s promises. So we do mourn, but we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13–18; 1 Cor. 15:51–58).

Conclusion: We commemorate those who have died in the Lord and are with Him waiting for the resurrection of their bodies. We honor them and we honor the Lord by pressing on in the faith of Christ. We are confronted with the truth that we will all face death because of sin. Those who die outside of Christ will be lost in grief and torment for an eternity under God’s wrath. But we are comforted by the truth that Christ has overcome sin and death and that those in Him will be in the blessed presence of God who made us and rules over us (Rev. 14:12–13).

A Hero's Welcome

By Robert Longley

Time to come home dear brother

Your tour of duty through

You've given as much as anyone

Could be expected to do

Just a few steps farther

The smoke will start to clear

Others here will guide you

You have no need of fear

You have not failed your brothers

You clearly gave it all

And through your selfless actions

Others will hear the call

So take your place of honor

Among those who have gone before And know you will be remembered

For now and evermore

SERVICE OF COMMITTAL

The Apostle Paul writes:

Listen, I will tell you a mystery!

We will not all die, but we will all be changed.

For this perishable body must put on imperishability,

and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

But thanks be to God,

who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, you have ordered this wonderful world

and know all things in earth and in heaven.

Give us such faith that by day and by night,

at all times and in all places,

we may without fear commit ourselves

and those dear to us

to your never failing love,

in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Standing at the head of the coffin and facing it (preferably casting earth upon it as it is lowered into the grave) the pastor says:

Almighty God,

into your hands we commend your son William,

in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground

earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

(TRADITIONAL)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors

for their deeds follow them.

Gracious God,

we thank you for those we love but see no more.

Receive into your arms your servant ,

and grant that increasing in knowledge and love of you,

he may go from strength to strength

in service to your heavenly kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The pastor dismisses the people with the following or another blessing:

Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling,

and to make you stand without blemish

in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing,

to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

be glory, majesty, power, and authority,

before all time and now and forever. Amen.