Obituary of Michael W. Williams

MICHAEL WAYNE WILLIAMS departed this life on Wednesday April 5, 2017. He was born February 23, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois to Amos Williams Sr. and Dorothy Jane Henderson. Mike, as he was affectionately known by most, graduated from Lindblom Technical High School '78 (The Eagles) on the south side of Chicago. He was known as the CAPTAIN because he was co-captain of his high school football team (Maroon and Gold). Mike graduated from South Carolina State University in 1982 with a BS in Math and Computer Science. He continued his education at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., where he attained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science; he immediately started working for the Bell System (Bell Labs, Bellcore, Telecordia). While in the Bell System, he worked his way up the ladder to become a manager. After leaving the Bell system, Mike became an entrepreneur. He developed personal database applications and marketed these applications towards various private and government agencies. During a Fountain Baptist Church retreat in 1992, he met, became prayer partners with and married Karen Callaway; his wife of 23 years. He was a Trustee and the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the Fountain Baptist Church. On any given day or night you would see Mike at the church. If you called the church phone, and no one answered, you would hear his voice on the answering machine. He even designed the purple and gold “Church Crest” that can be seen on the side of the van or on the t-shirt. Mike Williams, CEO of Mike Williams Productions (MWP), had 33+ years of software development experience; including Coopers and Lybrand, 8 years at Union County Resource and Referral Agency (R&R) and Community Coordinated Child Care (CCCC). He tirelessly wrote code and he developed new software called Eppic Extract for R&R’s. EPPIC Extract makes it easier for case managers to research EPPIC payments in response to Attendance Logs or other internal matters; it is currently being utilized by over 47 Child Care facilities in 11 counties in New Jersey. He actively served the community as a coach and mentor for New Jersey Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), as a Vice-Chair of the Newark Annual UNCF Mayors Masked Ball, and as a supporter of Unity First. He also regularly donated blood to the American Red Cross. His hobbies included photography, watching football, basketball, track and field, researching catalogs, pouring over computer manuals and eating. His favorite food was good food. He liked food. He was always up to watch a good game. He didn't have a favorite team, though he was known to root hard for the “underdog”. Mike had a love for Jazz music especially that of Dorothy Donegan, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Amad Jamal! He would often invite members to accompany him to concerts in NYC. Sometimes you would hear this music as the background track for a slide show or computer presentation. He had a different hand shake, gesture, greeting or nick-name for many people that he met. He really took his time with each person he encountered, whether he was changing a flat tire, jumping a battery, pulling someone out of the mud, driving someone to the airport, picking someone up at the train station, telling a joke, being a father figure, a buddy, a friend and a Pop-Pop. Michael touched and served a congregation through the years by quietly taking care of whatever was needed. Without complaint, he would set up the big screen, adjust the sound, run the sound board, make videos, cook the breakfast, order the food, make the menu, set up, take down, open the door, lock up, play the background music, put things away, take things out, set up chairs and tables, adjust the thermostat, run the water in the baptismal pool and regulate temperature, order the buses, print the tickets, maintain the wireless and hand-held mics, order supplies, send out tax statements, organize parades and marches, order Superbowl balloons and chairs, raise banners, take photographs, help as needed with the newsletter committee and assist members in different departments. Mike served his mother in Atlanta for 5 months through her transition and then returned home to be with his wife and the Fountain family until his transition on Wednesday evening, April 5th. Mike was truly loved by his Fountain Baptist Church family, his Lindblom Technical High School Family, his computer family, and the shock of his passing was felt by all. He will be sorely missed! Mike is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Amos Jr., Phillip, Thomas and Kenneth and sister, Anita. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Karen Callaway Williams; his brothers, Anthony Williams (Dania) of Chicago, IL.; Kevin Williams (Adrienne) of Atlanta, GA., Keith Williams of Chicago, IL.; uncle, Obadiah Williams of Cincinnati, OH.; grand-aunt, Laura Smith (James) of Chicago, IL.; grandnephew, Steven Wimbs (Peggy) of Millsboro, DL.; Dona, Dorthea, Alexia, Leiloni, Josiah Michael, Arianna, Andre, I'brianna, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sister -in -laws, brother -in- laws, grandnieces and grandnephews that reach all the way back to NOAH!