"I'm pressing on the upward way, new heights I'm gaining every day. Still praying as I onward bound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground…"

The Upward Way: Colonieus Charles Williams was, by no stretch of the imagination, the embodiment of small stature with a BIG impact. Born September 9, 1934, in the small town of Bond, Mississippi, Colonieus was delivered by a midwife. He attended and graduated from Stone County Training School. Colonieus grew in faith and was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, which is now H.A. Brown Memorial United Methodist Church. As one of two children, Colonieus' parents, the late Mr. Theodore R. Williams, Sr., and Mrs. Violet Brown Williams ensured that he had all that was needed to be his brother's keeper. He was committed to protecting his little brother, "Jr." and that he did.

New Heights: After graduating from high school, Colonieus continued his education at Jackson State College, now Jackson State University. Transferring from Jackson State College, Colonieus would ultimately satisfy the requirements to obtain a bachelor of art degree in Graphic Arts and Communications Design from Mississippi Valley State University. Challenges, for Colonieus, were rarely viewed as obstacles. If anything, they were more like opportunities for him to showcase that he was the master of his fate and that he was going to do things his way. Colonieus once shared that as a child, he contracted Polio. As a result, he was left with a limp, one leg shorter than the other. And while most would use this seeming disability as an excuse, Colonieus used it as motivation to achieve, and that he did.

Gaining Everyday: After his undergraduate days at Mississippi Valley State University, Colonieus began his career at the Daily Herald Newspaper in Gulfport. He later moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he continued his career in printing. In 1967, Colonieus' father died, resulting in his move back to Gulfport to care for his mother. Settling back home, Colonieus gained employment as a Print Master for Bill Weaver Printing Company. He worked as a Print Master for several years until beginning his career as a Longshoreman and joining the ILA Local 1303. In 1988, Colonieus retired with over 26 years of service.

Onward Bound: Colonieus was a Renaissance man, a cultured man, and an eclectic. He was an enthusiast of wine, music, technology, geography, history, and cars. In fact, Colonieus was a professional race car driver. There wasn't much that he was unaware of or unlearned about. He always had and knew the latest and greatest. Many can remember him being the first to have a Beta Video Recorder, VHS, DVD Player, and, yes, even cable. Others knew him to have the most stylish cars and could instantly glance at a car and tell you the make, model, and year. Many people counted on Colonieus to lead the way, and that he did.

Higher Ground: There has always been a higher motivation that drove Colonieus in all that he did. He was first an avid Bible reader and studied the Word daily. He often cited Bible verses and knew the correct pronunciation of names and cities in the Bible as a high-level Bible scholar. He and his brother prayed together as an example of their upbringing and love for Christ. He was adamantly committed to every organization that he was a part of. Whether we're talking about his Membership as Past Worshipful Master of Soria City Lodge No. 542 Free and Accepted Masons, PHA, or his tenure as Past Potentate of Karun Temple No. 48 Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdiction, his membership of King Solomon Consistory 3142 Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, SJ, USA, or even as a member of the Gulfport Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. where he was a 1990 initiate and held the distinction of Grand Chapter Life Member, Southwestern Province Life Member, and a committee member within the local chapter. Membership in these organizations meant a great deal to Colonieus, and the expectation was that he fulfilled each obligation and that he did.

Colonieus is preceded in death by his parents, Mrs. Violet and Mr. Theodore R. Williams, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Laura Johnson; a brother-in-law, Mr. George Johnson, Sr.; a sister-in-law, Rev. RoseMary Hayes-Williams and two nephews, Mr. Theodore R. "Teddy" Williams, Ill, and Mr. George Johnson, Jr.

His survivors include his dedicated brother, Rev. Theodore R. Williams, Jr.; one sister, Lois Gaines; nephews, Glen (Toni) Johnson, Kenneth (Darness) Johnson, Michael (Janice) Johnson, Bruce (JoAnn) Johnson; three nieces, Tyra (EJ) Aycox, Sonya Williams, Dr. Thea Williams (Terrence) Black; great-nephews, Kenson Shedrick, Kevin G, Chris, Jeffery, Glenn, Kevin A., great-nieces, Thea Emerson, Brittney, Ashley, Jacqueline, Maria, Karmen, Marci, Demetris; a godson, Dennis "DJ" Stevenson, II and a host of great-great nephews, great-great nieces, his caregiver, Pauline Thomas, a loyal neighbor, Jimmy Dulaney, relatives, and friends.

"So Lord, lift me up, and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland. A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

For livestream of service: https://pp.events/avM9OAEv