TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Marion T. Williams 1942-2021 Educator
M arion T. Williams (Gamma Iota 1966) entered the Chapter Invisible on September 18, 2021, at age 79. On August 1, 1942, he was born in Clovis, New Mexico, to Edgar James Williams and Geneva Christine Williams. In 1949, the Williams family moved to Phoenix, AZ. He attended Percy L. Julian Elementary School and graduated from South Mountain High School in 1960. A lifetime learner, he graduated with a B.A. degree in education from Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, AZ. He later returned to ASU to earn an M.A. and doctor- ate degrees in education. Williams began his career in education as a sixth-grade teacher at T.G. Barr Elementary School in the Roosevelt School District located in South Phoenix. He held various positions in the Roosevelt School District through- out his career, including assistant principal at Rose Linda Elementary
“ HE HELD VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE ROOSEVELT SCHOOL DISTRICT THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, INCLUDING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT ROSE LINDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PRINCIPAL AT PERCY L. JULIAN AND SIERRA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.”
School, principal at Percy L. Julian and Sierra Vista Elementary Schools. He concluded his career in 2003 as Director of Gov- ernment Programs for the Roosevelt School District. A Life Member of the Fraternity, Williams held membership with the Phoenix (AZ) Alumni Chapter, including serv- ing as the chapter’s 15th Polemarch [1981-1982]. Marion was also a member of the NAACP and the National Education Association (NEA). He mentored youth through- out the Phoenix-area and coached several sports teams. Ever involved in the community, he managed several public swimming
pools in Phoenix during the summers, including Eastlake, Hermosa, and Harmon. His children often accompanied him to the pool and have fond memories of summers at the pool with their dad. Williams was a steadfast member of Phoenix’s First Institutional Baptist Church for over 70 years. Williams was a dedicated family man who adored his wife and children and strived to fulfill their every need. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and regaling them with stories and jokes about his life and experiences. Brother Marion T.
Williams was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Edgar James Williams, Jr. and Gerald Nathaniel Williams. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Della, son Michael and his wife Teri, daughter Lynnae, grandchildren Shante, Desiree, Michael II, and Cassius, eight great-grandchildren, sister- in-law Shirley (Sue), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. ♦
84 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2023
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