Isiah Williams

On Saturday, June 17th, 2023, Isiah Williams, affectionately known as Sam, entered eternal rest peacefully at home with his loving family after a prolonged illness. Sam was born on December 19, 1946, in Newberry, South Carolina to the late Isaiah and Rebecca Williams. He was educated in the public schools in Newberry County and was a member of the Elisha AME Church where he accepted the Lord at an early age. He was of the seventh of eight children and raised in a very loving and nurturing home. He was raised on a farm and learned at an early age the value of hard work and carried that work ethic with him throughout his life. In his last year of high school, Sam came to visit his sister Mary in Washington, D.C. and liked it so much that he didn’t return to South Carolina. He got a job right away and had several jobs before landing a job with the Federal Government at the National Gallery of Art as an Operations Engineer in air conditioning and refrigeration. He loved his job and worked there for over twenty years. Sam married Margaret Anderson on December 18, 1987. The Lord blessed them with two daughters, Erica Samantha and Krystal Renee. He was also blessed with a son, Aric from a previous relationship. Sam was a very proud and dedicated father, always encouraging and supporting his children in all their endeavors. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and spoiling them. With family roots running deep in South Carolina, Sam loved going back home every 3rd Sunday in August for “Homecoming” where he got to see all his family and old friends. He was a bedside Baptist on Sundays before the pandemic made it famous. He watched Apostle Frederick K. Price for years until he was no longer on air, Pastor Joel Osteen, who he watched faithfully along with Bishop T.D. Jakes. With a real zeal for life, Sam loved to entertain and have cookouts in the backyard where he grilled his famous ribs and BBQ chicken. He was a grill master, and no one could do them better. He also prepared his famous fried chicken and fish because it wouldn’t be a cookout without them. Everyone looked forward to the annual free 4th of July cookout given by the Williams’ brothers and sisters at Fort Dupont Park in Washington, D.C. There were always plenty of people, good food, fun and games with a firework display as the finale. Sam was an avid Redskins/Commander fan and decorated his man cave to reflect that. He loved to laugh and tell jokes, some of which were very funny and others not so much. Fishing was his passion and he loved going to the racetrack and to the casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sam was a talented dancer and loved to dance. He loved playing cards such as Tonk, Bid Whist and Poker. He was a member of a Bid Whist circle of family and friends and of a men’s social club called the “Tree Crew” where his friends would meet weekly under the tree for fun, good food and fellowship. He was a jack of all trades, there wasn’t anything he didn’t know how to do around the house, and he did it all. He loved gardening and landscaping and prided himself on having one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. A wonderful God-centered man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Sam will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his brothers Casper, Bobbie and Nathaniel and his sister Lois Smith. Sam leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Margaret; two daughters, Erica Green (Alymer), Krystal Long (Anthony) one son Aric Wright (Andrea); three grandsons; Daunte and Christian Green; Tristan Long; four granddaughters; Samiah Green, Kaleigh Wright, Aysia Manigo and Phoenyx Long; two sisters; Mary Easter and Mamie Murphy; one brother Willie Fred Williams; five sisters-in-law; Cassaundra Cashwell (Garry), Carla Gillus (Michael), Thomasyne Anderson, Linda Anderson and Shirley Williams; four brothers-in-law; Robert Anderson, Alvin Anderson, Calvin Anderson and Patrick Anderson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.