Francis H. Williams, son of Orrin Perry and Rhoda Joslin Williams, was born on a farm near Verona, N. Y., July 8, 1848, and died in Plainfield, N. J., February 19, 1926.
Mr. Williams was married in Syracuse, N. Y., December 22, 1874, to Miss Mary Clarinda Smith, of that city. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams were baptized by Rev. John L. Huffman and joined the First Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church. Thus at the beginning they established their home as a Christian home. Baptized together, and joining the church together, they continued their walk together until day before yesterday when Mr. Williams was called to the eternal home just a little ahead of his companion [?] of more than half a century.
Besides his wife there survive him two sons, Ellis Harold of Hornell, N. Y., and Francis Rollin of Plainfield; a sister, Miss Lillian I. Williams of Verona, N. Y.; a brother, Dr. D. O. Williams of Lake Mahopac, N. Y.; and three grandchildren, Francis, Leland and Ethel Williams.
Mr. Williams was a descendant of Roger Williams. He was a quiet, unassuming man, bur a man of great strength of character, and of very unusual Christian integrity. He had very definite convictions of right and Christian duty, to which he was always true. He learned that the world was not always friendly to one's Christian convictions, but he trusted him who overcame the world, and in that strength he overcame.
For years it was his custom to repeat daily the Shepherd Psalm and verses from the fourteenth chapter of St. John. Upon these and similar passages his soul was fed, and at the end he might well say with Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day." And Brother Williams would want me to repeat for the sake of those who are left behind. "And not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing."
The funeral services were held at the late home in Plainfield, February 21, 1926, and were conducted by Rev. Ahva J. C. Bond, who was assisted by Rev. Theodore L. Gardiner and Rev. Theodore J. Van Horn. Mrs. Elizabeth B. Edgar and Miss Marjorie Burdick sang two appropriate hymns. Interment will be made at Verona, N. Y. A. J. C. B.
