Walter Williams

Williams, Walter James - Age 90, of Flushing, died September 4, 2022. Funeral services will be held 10:45 AM Monday, September 12 at Vernon Chapel AME Church 5802 Dupont St. Flint. Visitation will be held 2PM-4PM Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center 6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc and 9:45 AM Monday at the church until the time of service. Burial to follow at Great Lakes National Cemetery 4200 N. Belford Rd. Holly. Walter James Williams, lovingly known as Buddy, was born February 29, 1932 in Conyers, GA to parents Booker T. and Willie Frances (Benton) Williams. Walt was a graduate of Flint Northern High School. He married Barbara Lee Shumpert in 1956 enjoying a beautiful marriage until her death in 1972. Walt proudly served in the Unites States Air Force for twenty years. He was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award before retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1972. As a single father of five children, Walt earned an Associate of Science in General Management degree from Detroit College of Business in 1977. He married Maggie Hodge in 1977 creating a happy blended family often lovingly referred to as the “Black Brady Bunch”. Utilizing his degree and military training to establish a second career in Accounting with General Motors, Walt retired from General Motors in 1992. He was a longtime member and supporter of Vernon Chapel AME Church. Over the years, Walt served as a Steward, organized Piston’s basketball outings for the men’s ministry and sang in both the Chancel and Senior choirs. Walt was honored by the AME Church Michigan Conference as Man of the Year in 2002. He loved to travel with Maggie and they enjoyed vacations in the US as well as Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Walt truly enjoyed cooking, grilling and entertaining friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maggie; seven children, Debra (Cecil) Dukes of Decatur GA, Cynthia Clemons of Flint MI, Toni Williams of Indianapolis IN, Terri (Earl) Guy of Snellville GA, Jeffrey (Joy) Williams of Lake Winnebago MO, Traci (Eugene) Thomas of Conyers GA, Dianne (Jerald) Cosey of Carmel IN; 16 grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Walt was preceded in death by his parents; former wife Barbara Lee Williams; sister, Drucilla Smith; son-in-law, Recardo Clemons Sr.; grandsons Recardo (Deucey) Clemons II and Renondo James Clemons. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.