OBITUARY

Larry Clarence Williams, 85, (retired CPD Lt.) was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 12, 1938 to Nathaniel and Mable Williams. Larry’s parents raised him in a Christian home with his four siblings. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age. As an adult, he became a scholar of Old Testament history and attended Bible college where he enjoyed participating in stimulating scriptural debates and discussions. Larry was always eager to share his knowledge as he encouraged believers to keep the faith and persuaded the unsaved to come to Christ. Larry was a faithful member of the Apostolic Church of God, where he grew spiritually under the teachings of the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier.

Education was another one of Larry’s core values. He graduated from Chicago’s Tilden Technical High School where he majored in architectural drawing and design. He attended Roosevelt University and earned a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees.

Larry also studied theology at the Moody Bible Institute and the Chicago Baptist Institute.

Having served in United States Army in South Korea and Japan from 1958 to 1960, Larry’s interest in law enforcement led him to pursue a career with the Chicago Police Department. He undertook a number of responsibilities in the Department, including sometimes being called upon to assist with the training of cadets at the Police Academy. After becoming a detective, he rose to the rank of lieutenant, and with his retirement from the Police Department in 1995, he was recognized for thirty-one years of meritorious service. Larry went on to serve as Watch Manager for the Chicago 911 Center.

Larry had many interests. He loved sports of all varieties, and was especially fond of baseball. He was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox. His other pastimes included solving math puzzles and riddles, building model airplanes, listening to jazz and writing poetry. Larry was a philanthropist and contributed financial support to aid many young students.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Nathaniel Williams, Sr., mother, Mable Williams, brother, Samuel Williams and sister, Mary Gomez-Francis. Larry is survived by his sister, Yvonne Crockett; brother, Nathaniel Williams, Jr.; daughters, Sharon Cook Morton, Charlotte Heard, LaKeisha Williams, and Lovely Carter; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Celebration to Be Held

Saturday, August 26, 2023

10:00 A.M.

A.A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home

318 E. 71st Street

Chicago, Illinois 60619