 Bishop W. D. Williams was born on September 3, 1937 in Evergreen, Alabama, to Estelle Murphy-Williams and Dempsey Williams. He is the 5th of 9 children (8 boys, 1 girl). He grew up in the budding metropolis of Cantonment, Florida. He attended Brewton Elementary and Ransom Elementary/High School in Cantonment, Florida where he graduated in 1957. He attended Booker T. Washington Junior College and the Pentecostal Bible College where he received his Doctor of Divinity Degree (DD). He met and married Marion Hobbs on September 20, 1959. They have 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Bishop Williams received the Holy Ghost at age 11. He attended All Saints A.O.H. Church of God under the leadership of Elder E. L. Locke. He and his family moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1964 where they lived for 6 years, attending Mt. Zion AOH Church under the leadership of Elder James E. Finley and Overseer Walter Locust.
Bishop was called into the ministry in 1966, pasturing his first church (2nd Street AOH Church) in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1970-1972. He remodeled the church inside and out. The music dept. was blessed to purchase a Hammond Organ under Bishop Williams’ pastoring. In 1974 he was led of God to return to Pensacola, Florida to organize and Pastor Webb Street AOH in Cantonment, FL. His ministry flourished there and within a year they purchased a house and began holding service there while working to build a new sanctuary on Washington Street. They moved into their new facility in 1981 (Washington St. AOH Church of God). While working towards the new building, Pastor Williams was instrumental in having the streets paved in the community of Cantonment. He opened the church to serve hot meals to the homeless and the hungry, and to distribute government subsidies. He was made an Honorary Sheriff of Escambia County. In 1982 he was named “Outstanding Pastor of the Year.”
In August 1984, he was sent to pastor Grace Temple AOH Church here in Columbus. Under his leadership, Grace Temple grew in membership and in the Lord. The church was remodeled inside and out, the roof was replaced, the baptismal area was remodeled; new A/C units were purchased, the restrooms were remodeled and new lighting was installed. Part of the land was paved and fenced and lighted for more secure parking for the saints. A new updated sound system was purchased and new computers and telephone systems were installed.
During the Christmas holidays, Bishop Williams and the Grace Temple family were instrumental in feeding the homeless and hungry in the community. In 1986, he organized and sponsored the first P.U.M.A. (Pentecostal United Ministerial Alliance) in Columbus, GA. He served as President of the organization for the first 2 years. He served as a long-time member of the Executive Board of the AOH Churches of God, Inc. In 2002-03, Bishop attended and graduated from Friends International Bible School out of Los Angeles, CA earning a BS, MA, and PhD in Bible Studies. He wrote a Thesis that is being utilized as a teaching guide in the school to this day.
In 2003, Overseer W.D. Williams was ordained a Bishop in the National Pentecostal Meeting of the AOH Churches, Inc. by Bishop G.W. Ayers in Mobile, AL. Later that year, Bishop was inspired by God to change the name of the church from Grace Temple to Tabernacle of Praise. After enduring insurmountable trials and tribulations, Bishop and the congregation felt led to leave the AOH organization and venture out on their own, yet doing the will of God and following His command. They started out in a store front for about 2 years. In 2005, God saw fit for Bishop Williams with the help of the deacons to find a vacant church building (their present home) on Forest Road, with most of the furniture yet inside. Although there was a lot of work to be done to the building and land, they were blessed to secure the church for God’s glory. There is still more work remaining, but they are equipped and determined to handle the task!
Bishop W. D. Williams was introduced to the Pentecostal Assembly of Believers, Inc. (PAB) and Presiding Bishop Carl E. Holland by way of a long-time friend, Bishop Travis D. Franklin of Birmingham, AL. In 2007, Bishop Williams led his church into the PAB. |
