Randolph Williams Sr.

Randolph, or Randy as he was affectionately known by family and friends, departed from labor unto rest on Saturday, June 26, 2021 after a short illness.  Randy loved his family; however, he loved his Lord and his wife, Debbie of over 50 years, more. So for him after hearing the sweet voice of his Lord and having glimmers of his sweetheart, he answered the call to come home.

Randy was born January 12, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Hattie M. Williams and the only father he knew, the late John Henry McClary, who married his mother in December 1946. From this union, Randy was the oldest of the boys born; and all except one has preceded him in death: Isaiah (deceased), John Henry (“Jr”- deceased), Kevan (“Ricky”-deceased) and Kenny McClary.  Randy was raised in a multigenerational household which included his grandparents, parents, and an uncle, Eddie who was a few years older than himself.

As a young man, Randy attended Sunday School, the Baptist Youth Training, and was actively involved at Memorial Baptist Church located on Preston and Caroline Street. He was catechized at age 12 and baptized at age 13. Randy loved the church and was known to assist with administrative duties, sing in the choir or teach Vacation Bible School. This is where he met his sweetheart Debbie at age 13.

Randy was educated in the Baltimore City School system. When he was entering senior high school in 1957, his junior high counselor encouraged him to attend Baltimore City College Senior High School (all male school) since he showed great abilities in both technical knowledge and mathematic. During his tenure in high school, Randy received 5 Varsity letters for Track and Cross Country.  After high school, Randy attended Morgan State University where he received his BS in Physics and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha where he’s a lifetime member. Randy continued learning and enhancing his craft in physics, computer technology, and general management and later income tax preparation.

In November of 1963, Randy married his sweetheart, Debbie, and moved his young family to the Washington, DC area to be closer to work at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Randy worked for over 17 years at NBS before becoming an Export Official at the Department of Commerce for which he worked another 15 years. After he retired from Commerce, Debbie had a “honey-do” list so Randy returned to work at Hewlett Packard for another 6 years before “retiring again”.  In 2006, Randy and his partner, Charles, established One Stop Tax & Business Services in which he prepared taxes and financial services for many family members, friends and Seniors.

During his and Debbie’s union, they had three children Angela, Randy, Jr. and Stephen.  Randy and Debbie LOVED their family and extended family. Randy enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating, a good debate, and especially traveling with his sweetheart. He loved his church, First Baptist Church of Highland Park, which he joined in the late 60’s. Randy served as Church Treasurer for over 20 years. He loved mentoring people from youth to seniors. If you had a question, Randy would research all of your possible options; sometimes, even if you didn’t want him too! He believed people could make better decisions when they had good information.

Randolph Williams Sr. leaves to cherish his memory his three children; Angela, Randy, Jr (Yolanda) and Stephen (Jennifer): his granddaughters: Denise (Terrence), Randi, Cortavia, and Kimberly; grandson, Dominic; his uncle, Eddie Williams, brother, Kenny McClary, beloved in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, special niece Lynn, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.