Williams also preached during the service for the Rev. C.L. Franklin, his longtime mentor and family friend.
Franklin, an award-winning singer, musician and composer, recently died on Aug. 16 from pancreatic cancer at the age 76 at her home in Detroit.
Here are 7 things to know about Williams:
- Pastor emeritus of Salem Bible Church, formerly Salem Baptist Church, with campuses in Atlanta and Lithonia.
- The membership for both churches is 10,000
- Williams was born in Memphis and has known the Franklin family nearly all his life. His uncle, Alton Roosevelt Williams, and C.L. Franklin were best friends.
- Williams, 75, is also an author and award-winning gospel singer. He is currently writing his autobiography.
- He preached his first sermon, "The Living Waters," at age 7 at Lane Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis
- He graduated from 1972 Morehouse College with a major in sociology with a minor in religion.
- He is the son of a pastor and his two sons, the Rev. Joseph L. Williams and the Rev. Jasper Williams III, are pastors. There are four generations of pastors in his family.
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