Born on June 3, 1958, James C. Williams, III (Jim) was the second of three children born to James and Rosalyn Williams. Raised in Toledo, OH, Jim could be found riding bikes, skateboards and playing football in the middle of Joffre Street with his friends! He attended Nathan Hale Elementary School and DeVilbiss High School where he enjoyed sports, choir and theater. His grades allowed him to graduate high school in three years, giving him the opportunity to study engineering at the University of Toledo sponsored by the Owens-Illinois, Inc. Jim put his education to good use working at several architectural engineering firms before establishing his own electrical construction certified minority business enterprise.

As a young child, Jim developed a deep love for Christ under his father’s teaching at the International Gospel Center #4. Active in the Youth Organization, he began his preaching ministry at the early age of ten. He met and later married fellow church member, Della Daniels (deceased). God blessed them with four children: Janae, Jay (James IV), Jordan and Jamia. Despite the marriage’s dissolution, they remained loving parents and grandparents.

Jim was appointed church administrator of the Tabernacle of Faith Church (church name revised). In 1999 he was elected Administrator for the National Prayer Band Convention, a multi-denominational fellowship of churches from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio & Washington D.C. He also founded Christ Today Ministries, an inner-city outreach that blessed many lost youths and adults through worship services held in local parks. In 2002, he was appointed assistant pastor under his father and on June 3, 2006, was installed as senior pastor of the Tabernacle of Faith Worship Center.

Jim and Carletta James (lovingly known as “Sweetness & Squeak”) were married on June 3, 2000. Known for their love of God and for each other, they labored together in ministry. They hosted two syndicated radio programs; the most recent one, “Ain’t It The Truth” was a live call-in broadcast carried on WMUZ 103.5 FM – The Light. Throughout his illness, Carletta stood with him leading the Tabernacle of Faith Worship Center family towards successful living in all aspects of life. As they networked with other like-minded leaders, they formed a close and lasting relationship with Pastor Doug and Jodi Firebaugh. In August 2012, Rev. Williams was named Assistant Pastor of the Success Church in Troy, MI, where he helped Pastor Firebaugh with weekly Tuesday night services and various on-line programs. To the very end, Pastor Jim proclaimed “Salvation is the beginning, Abundant-living is next. We got NEXT!”

Jim leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Carletta; children, Janae (Mylan) Welborn, James IV (Jacquelynn), Jordan (Jennifer) Williams, Jamia Williams and Ketaan Wyatt; Grandchildren: Jalen, Jasmine, Myiah Lynn, Mykailah and Milan Christine Welborn; James V., Justin, Jonathan and Jayda Williams; Jordan and Jada McClendon; Ketaan and Karter Wyatt; two sisters, Jacquelyn (Pastor Charles) Polk and Kimberly (Keith) Schumacher and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family members, friends and loved ones. Also holding him in precious memory “daughters”: Maxine Mitchell, Nola Wilson and Meenal Hogan.

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