Tribute and memorial for Joseph L. ‘Stu’ Williams
Joseph L. Williams was born August 17,1954 to Reather Rogers Martin and Richard Martin Sr.
He was affectionately called Stu by his family. He was the eldest of eight younger siblings.
Stu was eager to learn. He was very close to his grandparents, and always liked observing how to do different things. He learned to cook easy recipes early on. He and his family regularly attended Sunday school, and morning worship. Summer time was spent in Vacation Bible School sponsored by the late Mother Francis and her church. Stu and other church members and neighborhood children learned about the Bible and took trips to area attractions.
Stu attended Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in the Harlem McBride subdivision of Oakland Park, Florida. When the school was phased out, he attended Lloyd Estates Elementary for sixth grade and continued on to Rickards Middle School.
Stu played clarinet in the Rockets band under the instruction of Mr. J. A. Cook. At Northeast High School, he studied Distributive Education and Marketing. He assisted his younger siblings with homework, worked part-time at a restaurant, and attended his class prom. His aspiration was to attend FAMU’s School of Pharmacy. His dream was unfulfilled when his life was shortened on his graduation day by a tragic drowning at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Stu was a loving person and good older brother.
Today, he is survived and remembered fondly by his mother Reather Rogers Martin, three sisters Beverly, Theresa and Pamela, five brothers James “Red’ decease, Emanuel, Richard Jr., Warren decease, Darrel and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and classmates and his Best buddy Carl.
Dedication service for Joseph L. “Stu” Williams Northeast High School Class of 1972, Saturday August 15, 2015 1 p.m. at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Free admission to the park for everyone attending the service. This is sponsored by the Martin Family. For more information: Please contact Theresa M. Elliott at telliott3@att.net or (407) 760-4581. His memory will be honored with a bench at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
