“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” - Revelation 14:13

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Williams, Sr., was born in Marlboro, South Carolina, to Prentiss D. Williams, Sr., and Josephine E. Williams on August 5, 1946. Franklin was the youngest child of three siblings. Franklin, or “Slim” as he was affectionately known, attended Public School in Blenheim, South Carolina. At an early age, Franklin spent quality time with his father learning to grow the fields, listening to his sister play the piano, and drawing patterns for his mother so that she could sew clothes for others. He attended A&T for College. He served proudly in the United States Army where he captured his real and true love for music. After leaving the Army, Franklin began his music career. Franklin began traveling as a guitar player and eventually switched over to playing the bass guitar. He performed with great bands such as Bill Pinkey’s Original Drifters. He was co-founder of the Original Sauce band. He has traveled with The Betty Swan Band, B.B. King, Joe Davis and the Final Touch Singers, GSP with Lawrence “Bird” Burdine, and many other bands and musicians. Franklin was born and raised in Macedonia Baptist Church of Bennettsville, South Carolina, and later the Cedar Fall Baptist Church of Blenheim, South Carolina. After relocating to Daytona Beach, Florida, years later in 1989, he joined United Bibleway Church of God in Christ, and in 1993, he joined Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, all under the leadership of his father-in-law, Pastor Willie L. Durden, Sr., where he was a devoted musician. On September 28, 1994, Franklin married Cynthia Durden, and to this marriage came a combined family. Besides being a bass player/musician, Franklin also was a paint, body, and mechanic man of automobiles. He loved riding motorcycles and was an avid reader.

In addition to his parents, Franklin was preceded in eternal rest by his brother, Prentiss Jr.

Franklin leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 29 years, Cynthia D. Williams; three boys who came from their union, Franklin D.R. Williams, Jr. (Latoya), Philip La’Sean Durden, Sr., and Rae’Fiel Shavadea McIntosh; mother-in-love, Mother Mamie L. Durden, better known as Mama D; sister, Florida Annie Gladys McKinnon (Frederick); brother and sisters in love, Willie L. Durden, Jr., (Robbin), Constance Durden Robinson (Sheldon), and BeLinda Durden; grandson, Kingston Williams; three bonus grandsons, Jordan Durden, Shavadea McIntosh and Philip Durden, Jr.; four goddaughters, Tiffany Brewer Gates, Autumn Goodwin, Daesha Murray and Tianna Bivins; one godson, Daron Norman; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ church family.

The Williams Family will receive extended family and friends on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 5:00p.m.- 6:00p.m. and a musical moment from 6:00p.m. - 6:30p.m. at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, Bunnell, FL. The Homegoing Celebration will be 2:00p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. Burial will be 9:30a.m. Monday, August 14, 2023, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.