Emil Darrell Williams

Emil Darrell Williams, 94, of Jonesboro died peacefully on April 13, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Emil was born July 3, 1928, in Searcy, Arkansas, to the late D.T. and Margaret Merritt Williams. He was a member of the Searcy High School graduating class of 1946. He married Marianne Hestir also of Searcy on May 5, 1950. He attended Ouachita Baptist University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Speech and Drama. He then attended Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1953. He was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Ouachita Baptist University in 1988. He devoted his entire life to his family and his church families. He pastored churches in Lewisville, Russellville, and Little Rock before moving to Jonesboro in 1965 to pastor First Baptist Church for 30 years. He retired for a few weeks, before being asked to serve as the interim pastor at Magnolia Road Baptist Church. He served as the “interim” pastor from 1995 until Palm Sunday 2023.

Emil distinguished himself in his service to others and to the community. He was one of the founders of the Jonesboro Church Health Center ministry that is still serving the community today. He served on the boards of Southern Seminary for 12 years and Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock for 6 years. In 2015, he helped begin the Community Emergency Services Center that has coordinated the Friends and Neighbors Network (FANN). Emil became affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in 1991 and served as the first Arkansas moderator. He remained involved in the CBF ministry until his death.

Music was one of Emil’s loves, whether listening with eyes closed and lips pursed at the front of the church, directing Alexa to play something from the endless catalogue of music in his mind, or singing in his baritone voice. A crowd favorite he often sang was “Ol’ Man River.” The song lyrics included the line, “But that ol' man river just keeps rolling along,” which just as well could have been a reference to his enduring ministry and service to his community.

Emil was passionate about his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Marianne; his parents D.T. and Margaret Williams; brothers Ralph and James Williams, all of Searcy. He is survived by daughter Ann Williams, sons Paul Williams and Todd Williams (Catherine) of Jonesboro; and Ben Williams (Tracey) of Chicago, Illinois; four grandchildren: Christian Williams, Emma Williams, Adam Williams, and Hailey Williams; and one nephew, Phillip Williams (Patty) of Searcy.

A memorial service will be led by Ray Higgins and Richard Lusby at First Baptist Church, 701 S. Main, at 11:00 a.m. on April 15, 2023. Dr. Rodney Reeves will make the Call to Worship. A visitation will follow in the FBC Atrium. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. John Sanford, Tom Stafford, Arliss Dickerson, Mike Smith, John Payne, Mike Mullally, Charles Harris, Dr. Mark McJunkin, Dr. Richard Wang, Dr. Carl Abraham, Edward Pruitt, Dick Freer, Darryl Kelly, and Jean Staggs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Magnolia Road Church for the benefit of the Friends and Neighbors Network or the Diaper Bank.