Anthony Williams

Obituary For Anthony Williams

Anthony “Tony” Lamar Williams, eldest son of Lorenzo Williams and the late Marcellous “Cookie” McAdoo Williams, was born September 6, 1969, in Greensboro, NC. While surrounded by loved ones and at the end of a brief illness, he peacefully transitioned from this life on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Loved and respected by those who knew him, Anthony was a quiet man of few words, but his kind and selfless spirit was genuine, and his laughter, when it came, was infectious and authentic. He was a loving and affectionate husband; a dedicated son, brother, nephew and cousin; a loyal friend; a supportive colleague; and an encouraging educator and mentor. A proud graduate of James B. Dudley High School’s Class of 1987 and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, Anthony was passionate about the transformative power of education. He believed that education was not just about imparting knowledge but inspiring change and fostering understanding. Anthony poured his heart into teaching mathematics and science, impacting countless students in the Thomasville City Schools, Guilford County Schools, and most recently at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, NC. His students knew him as a patient, encouraging mentor who believed in their potential.

Anthony was introduced to Christ and began his walk of faith at his family’s church, St. Stephen United Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC, and later joined Oak Grove Baptist Church in High Point, NC. Most recently, as he sought a closer and more intimate relationship with God, he along with his wife, began to fellowship with The Way International, a meeting of those who believe in the research, teaching, and application of God’s Word for people to transform their lives and live a life of abundance and power.

Anthony was a caring and affectionate husband, deeply devoted to his beloved wife, Rochelle. Their love story began in 2008, blossomed into a lifelong partnership when he proposed in 2010, and culminated in a beautiful wedding and marriage on October 29, 2011. That day, which began cold and grey, transformed into a sunny celebration of love, mirroring the warmth and brightness Anthony brought into Rochelle’s life. As a husband, Anthony was more than just good; he was extraordinary. Words like awesome, amazing, fabulous, and incredible only begin to capture the depth of his love and commitment. He embodied the essence of Ephesians 5:25, living out the apostle Paul’s advice to “love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

Anthony is preceded in death by his mother, Marcellous “Cookie” Williams; his maternal grandparents, Deacon Edward “Sam” and Dorothy McAdoo; his paternal grandparents, Archie and Jessie Williams; and his aunt, Bonnie McAdoo Miller.

Anthony leaves a community of family, friends, colleagues, and current and past students to cherish his memories and celebrate his life, among those are his wife, Rochelle Williams, his father, Lorenzo “Al” Williams (Jeanette), his brother, Johnathan Williams; aunts, Margaret Vanhook (Barry) and Norma Jean Williams, an uncle, Edward McAdoo, Jr. (Vera), mother-in-law, Hilda Freeman, sister-in-law, Patricia Ellington (Derrick), and brothers-in-law, Jeffrey Tillman (Brenda), Robert Freeman, II (Saundra), and Chris Freeman. Anthony also shared a special relationship with his nieces and nephews, Kira Ellington, Ariel Tillman, Robert Freeman, III, Tyler Ellington, and Christopher Freeman, II.

Funeral will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 11:30am St. Stephen United Church of Christ 1000 Gorrell Street Greensboro, North Carolina. 11am Visitation. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery 3600 North O' Henry Boulevard Greensboro, North Carolina.