Elijah Williams

RITTER - Elijah Joshua (EJ) Williams, 76, entrepreneur and home builder, a native of Ritter, South Carolina, began his eternal rest after a long illness at his home in Berkeley Hall Plantation of Bluffton, South Carolina, Tuesday morning, November 10, 2009. He was the third child of six children born to Ned and Elvira Williams, his deceased parents. EJ will be missed by many whose paths he crossed.



In his young teens, EJ joined with his ailing father to run the familys logging business. This was followed by a ten year apprenticeship under Herman Thompsons Construction Company of Walterboro, where he became a master at masonry. Afterwards, he joined his brothers, Nathaniel and Vance, and formed The Williams Brothers Construction Company that operated in the tri state area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company, among other accomplishments performed all of the masonry construction for Garden Homes of Union, New Jersey, which was the largest home builder in the region.



Elijah Williams, affectionately known by his friends as EJ, achieved great success in other diversified business pursuits: a long distance trucking business operated out of Walterboro, SC, a real estate investing business, Big Daddys Sports Lounge in Manhattan, NY and a Mobile Oil Station and parking lot on 7th Avenue and 151st Street across from Yankee Stadium in New York City. Foremost, he was considered as the schoolmaster, mentor and advisor to many who entered the masonry trade under his tutorial guidance. Elijah Williams was a lifelong member of Saint Pauls AME Church in Ritter, SC. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching baseball and country westerns and playing cards. He was a comedian, storyteller, an inspiration and a legend. We love and miss you Big Daddy!



EJ was known to his family as Big Daddy. He leaves to mourn his beloved children and grandchildren; three siblings, Ruth Ann Williams of Walterboro, SC, Van Williams of Newark, NJ and Ned Williams of Manhattan, NY. He was preceded in death by one of his daughters, Rose Angela Williams, of Walterboro, SC, two siblings, Nathaniel Williams of Newark, NJ and Loretta Williams of Walterboro, SC. He will also be missed by a host of nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.



Funeral services will be conducted 11 oclock Saturday morning, November 14, 2009, from Bethel United Methodist Church, 355 Hampton Street (Historic District), Walterboro, with The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Williams, The Reverend Major Brown and The Reverend Raleigh Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Saint Pauls Churchyard, 7897 Ritter Road, Ritter, South Carolina.



For those that so desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.



Family and friends are invited to call for the viewing and visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 this Friday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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