Anderson “AD” Williams
Anderson “AD” Williams was born to Harold and Rosa Lee Williams on April 8, 1933.
He grew up on the east side of Chattanooga in the Churchville/Bushtown Neighborhood, living at 1414 Cleveland Avenue during much of his childhood. As a child and young adult, he excelled at a variety of sports and was an unprecedented athlete in baseball, swimming, cycling, fishing, and skating. Throughout his lifetime, he served in many capacities on various baseball teams and coached little league baseball for 32 years.
He attended school at Orchard Knob, Booker T. Washington School, Howard High School, and eventually graduated through adult continuing education classes on Dec. 3, 1982, with a GED from Riverside High School.
As a child, AD was a very motivated worker. During the 1930s and 1940s, he worked in downtown Chattanooga as a shoeshine boy, at the Chattanooga Bowling Alley racking pins, and at Ellis Restaurant as a dishwasher. From 1946 until 1951, he worked at Ben Mott, the Bushtown neighborhood store, bagging groceries and was employed by Kay’s Ice Cream from 1950 to 1954.
In 1954, AD was drafted into the Army of the United States and remained active duty until 1956. During his service time, he was a paratrooper before being recruited to the 82nd Division Honor Guard as 1 of only 6 African Americans serving at the time. While serving in the Army, AD received the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States on April 2, 1962.
In 1970, AD returned to military service joining the Tennessee Army National Guard and worked as a mechanic in the motor pool. He later put his leadership skills and cooking talent to use in the Mess Section for the 196th Field Artillery Brigade. During his tenure with the National Guard, AD earned several medals and awards including the Army Commendation Medal and the Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon. On September 1, 1992, he retired from the Army National Guard after 22 years of service.
Following his service to the United States Army, AD gained employment with Mueller Company in 1956. In 1995, after 39 years of working with Mueller, AD retired from the company. Retirement life was unfulfilling for him and he returned to work as head custodian for First Centenary United Methodist Church, working there for 10 years. From 2008 until 2015, he worked as an usher with the Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Organization.
AD did many things well. He was a snazzy dresser, as others that knew him would often recall. He was the picture man and loved taking pictures. He carried his camera and film to most events and family gatherings and could be counted on to have the photos, in an album, ready to view at the next gathering. When he had a visitor to his home, he would frequently pull out his photo albums and reminisce. He enjoyed fishing and would sometimes brag on being one of the best fishermen in Chattanooga. He delighted in knowing that he was aware of the best locations and tactics to catch the different fish found in the waters at the Booker T. Washington State Park and multiple other fishing spots throughout the city.
AD was a loving father, grandfather, and brother. He was a caring neighbor and his neighbors looked out for him. He was kind and compassionate especially toward younger people and would offer wisdom, guidance, counsel, and gentle correction to those that were willing to listen. He recognized his own imperfections and shortcomings and endeavored to do better and become better. He confessed belief in Jesus, the Savior of the World and attempted to live a life reflective of his savior. AD was a peaceable man and avoided complaining and making excuses. He had a gentle spirit and calm demeanor but addressed injustice with directness. He was confident and had an indomitable spirit that had not been broken when he departed this life on June 3, 2023.
AD was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Williams and Rosa Lee (nee Bolton) Williams; son, Michael L. Williams Sr.; grandparents, Anderson and Annie (nee Lawson) Williams and Lucius and Carrie (nee Johnson) Bolton; siblings, Carrie Lou Williams-Robertson, Vernon Williams, Mattie Mae Walker, Harold Williams II, Elizabeth Williams, and Andrew Williams Sr.; uncle, Ralph Williams.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and faithful children, Sandra Cisco-Horton of Cleveland, TN, Anderson (Carvetta) Williams of Birmingham, AL, Ronald (Sherrie) Williams, and Javonna (Cassanova) Williams-Lee both of Chattanooga; sister; Annie Lee Peavey of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Rhonda Cisco, Maria Cisco, Denise Cisco all of Cleveland, TN, Prudence Forte of Las Vegas, NV, Michael Williams Jr. of Washington, DC, Terrance Ward of Memphis, TN, Melanie Williams of Atlanta, GA, Corey Taylor, Alexander (Eliza) Williams, and Cassanova Lee Jr. all of Chattanooga, TN; great-grandchildren, Destiny Cisco, Trevor Cisco, Malika Nunn all of Cleveland, TN, Velma Williams, and Virgil Williams both of Chattanooga, TN; great-great-grandchildren, De’Ajae Cisco, Brylee Cisco, Demetrius Cisco, Niyah Cisco, La’Aisha Cisco, Za’Mya Cisco, Treviona Cisco, and Tatum Thomason all of Cleveland, TN; nieces Rose Porter, Cynthia Walker, Oretha Thomas, Michelle Williams, Debbie Johnson, Brenda Benn, and Raenetha Walker; nephew, Harold Williams; grandnephew, Montrell Williams; first cousin, Larry James; cousins, Smith-Williams Family, son in love, Maurice Carter Jr.; special friend, Everneza Ford; caregiver and friend, Bessie Tellis; dear friends and neighbors, Joel Terrell, John T. Simpson, Nathan Adams, Joyce Smith, and Valerie Jennings; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, at the funeral home.
An 11:30 a.m. funeral service will be held on Friday, June 16, at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, 1107 North Hickory Street.
Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors at 1:30 p.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 423 622-9995.