Ben Williams

Ben Hill Williams, the son of the late Mr. J.D. Williams and the late Mrs. Willie Mae Williams Hayes, was born in Colquitt, Georgia, on December 3, 1947. He joined the ranks of the immortal on December 8, 2023.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to Martistene Dent on July 1, 1972, and this union was blessed with three children, Erich DeSean Williams, Dr. Tarrah Benita White, and Kristoph D’Juan Williams.

Ben attended H.T. Singleton High School in Morgan Georgia, but completed his secondary education at Monroe Comprehensive High School in Albany, Georgia, in 1967. He later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Albany State College (University) in 1972. A naturally ambitious man, he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Georgia State University.

During his tenure at Albany State, Ben was employed with Purity Sugar Cone Company and the United States Postal Service. He began his teaching career in the Sumter County School System. With the help of his Father-In-Love, Mr. Henry Dent, Jr., he landed a job in the Dougherty County School System, where he became a Health and Physical Education Teacher and Football and Basketball coach at Southside Middle School. During his tenure at Southside Middle School, his teams won several championships in basketball and football. He retired from Southside Middle School in the early 1980’s. Ben’s favorite sport was baseball, which he played while attending Monroe Comprehensive High School.

Ben was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., the National Education Association, and the Albany State University Alumni Association.

Left to cherish his precious memories are the mother of his children, Martistene Dent Williams, of Albany, Georgia; son, Erich DeSean Williams of Duluth, Georgia; daughter, Dr. Tarrah Benita White (Webster) of Douglasville, Georgia; and son, Kristoph D’Juan Williams of Athens, Georgia; grandchildren; Nicholas Buford (Tamelia) of Marietta, Georgia; Donovan Williams of Macon, Georgia; Cameron Williams of Seattle, Washington; D’Juan Williams of Elverson, Pennsylvania; Jayden Urban of Coatesville, Pennsylvania; William and Warren White of Douglasville, Georgia, Daisha White of Atlanta, Georgia, and Sophia White (Angel), who will greet him on the Heavenly playing field; great-granddaughter, Nyla Buford of Marietta, Georgia; sisters, Eloise Anthony and Wilhelmenia Jackson of Albany, Georgia, and Sandra Hayes of West Palm Beach, Florida; and Brothers, Harvest (Jurya) Williams of Donoldsonville, Georgia; Horace (Phyllis) Williams of Dothan, Alabama; Hermon (Crystal) Williams of Hapeville, Georgia, and Hilton Hayes, Jr., of West Palm Beach, Florida. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ben was preceded in death by brothers, J.D. Williams, Jr., Troy Williams, J.B. Williams, and Gerald Williams; and sisters, Vydavis Anthony, Elaine McGhee, Patricia Williams, Barbara Moore, and Emma Gene Wiley.

Special thanks to Miss Cynthia Dent, Miss Angie Palmer, Mrs. Emma Potts, Mrs. Alicia Gurley, Mrs. Lavonne Pollard, Deacon Walter James, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Wynfield Park Health & Rehabilitation, Mrs. Carolyn Rivers, Mrs. Reba Griffin, and Affinis Hospice for their support and professional services during Ben’s journey. Thanks to the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Family, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr., for services rendered.

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