SPARTANBURG, SC - Emery L. Williams, 65, passed on April 2, 2014. Emery and his twin sister, Emily, were born on August 27, 1948 in East Chicago, IN. They were twin children of the late Emery and Dolores Chambers Williams. Emery was a 1966 graduate of E.C. Washington High School. Williams matriculated at Lincoln University of Jefferson City, MO; he was a 1971 graduate of Indiana University of Bloomington, IN. After graduation, Emery resided in Chicago, IL. For twenty-four years he lived in California; he resided in San Francisco and later resided in Los Angeles, California. His professional career included risk management and vice-presidential positions with Travelers Insurance and Marsh & McLennan Companies. After his retirement, Emery served as Chief Financial Officer with The J. W. Woodward Funeral Home, Inc. in Spartanburg, SC. Williams was an active and devoted member of Abundant Life Church of Los Angeles for more than twenty years. After moving to Spartanburg, SC, Emery joined The Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church. Emery was a profoundly faithful member of Silver Hill, where he tirelessly served in many capacities. Williams worked in leadership positions with the Ministries Council, The United Methodist Men, The Breakfast Program of the Center of Hope, The Men's Monday Bible Study, The Adult Sunday School Class and The Men's Choir. In his church and community involvements, Emery served with honor, joy and unparalleled enthusiasm. Initiated at Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Indiana University, Brother Emery Williams served in leadership positions with the highest distinction, serving as Polemarch for the Spartanburg (SC) Alumni Chapter and serving as the Local Planning Committee Chairman for the 57th Southeastern Province Council of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Emery served Kappa Programs, both Collegiate and Alumni, with dedication. Williams enjoyed sports; he inspired “a love of the game” in others. Emery, fondly known as 'Sonny', 'Twin' and 'E', will be sorely missed by: his wife, Kay; his children, Tamra and Brian Drees, Dolores Durham Williams, Stinson Woodward Ferguson and James C. Ferguson, Jr.; his grandchildren, Benjamin J. Hill, Sophia and Alex Drees, James, Damihje and Jordan Ferguson and Kameron; his sisters, Pamela Williams and twin sister, Emily Alim; his aunt, Rebecca (Woodrow Bradford) Robinson; his uncle, Edgar L. Spikes; his cousins; the Powell and Durham families; treasured friends; loving church family and community colleagues. A Celebration of Thanksgiving for the Life of Emery L. Williams will be held on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Silver Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, John B. White Blvd, Spartanburg, SC. Interment will be in Fern Oak Cemetery of Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Emery L. Williams Memorial Fund, which benefits the Community Fund of the Spartanburg County Foundation, care of The Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 E. Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or visit wwwspcf.org J. W. Woodward Funeral Home