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Mr. Fred James Williams passed away on September 28, 2025, at Baptist Memorial East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, after two years of health challenges. Born on January 8, 1930, to the late Fred James Williams, Sr. and Lillian Johnson Williams, he was raised in a close-knit, musically gifted family active in the Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. His early years on his father's farm taught him responsibility and sparked his lifelong love of learning. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings: Doris, Curtis, Allie B., Rudolph ("Rudy"), Raymond, Anita, and Gerald.

Mr. Williams graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1948 while working as a mail handler at the Illinois Central Railroad. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from LeMoyne College in 1954, following honorable military service as a medic in Germany during the Korean War.

In 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Alzalia Pearl Fitzgerald. Together, they raised two children, Lynnette Patrice and Fred James III, building a home centered on faith, education, discipline, and love.

Mr. Williams devoted 37 years to Memphis City Schools, serving as teacher, assistant principal, and later principal at Vance Middle School. Known for his sharp dress, firm discipline, and dedication to students, he left a lasting impact on generations of young people.

Outside his professional life, Mr. Williams loved to travel abroad and even visited the Holy Land, Jerusalem, with friends. He was active in his Lakeview Gardens community, participated in civic and investment groups, and was admired for his humor, leadership, and professionalism. He earned his Master's degree in Education, Administration, and Supervision from Memphis State University in 1971, becoming one of the first Black men to do so, while actively supporting the Civil Rights Movement. And in later years, he supported his daughter's campaigns.

Mr. Williams' life reflected hard work, faith, service, and devotion to family — a legacy of integrity, education, and love.

He is survived by his loving family. He leaves a daughter, Lynnette P. Williams-Young, MD of Memphis, Tennessee, and a son, Fred J. Williams III, Esq., (Sandra) of Oakland, California, one granddaughter Carla Alzalia G. Faulkner (Louis) of Brooklyn, New York, one grandson, Joshua L. Williams of Oakland, California and one step-granddaughter, Darecia Miller McCant (Jamil) of Pleasant Hill, California, three great grandchildren Ciara, Camille and Cameron Faulkner of Brooklyn, New York, one brother-in-law William Fitzgerald, and three sister-in-laws, Rosa Wilson-Ritter, Marva Williams, and Mary Lee Williams, all of Memphis, Tennessee, and two cousins Delores Williams of Nashville, Tennessee and Jerri Mack of Los Angeles, California and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.