Cecil "Chief" Williams

Cecil Raymond Williams Jr., age 70, known by his friends as “Chief,” was born April 17, 1954, in Perry, Oklahoma, the son of Cecil Raymond Williams Sr. and Ernestene Knight Williams. He passed from this life October 9, 2024, at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Perry, has been entrusted with his Celebration of Life arrangements. 

A lifelong resident of Perry, Cecil attended Perry Public Schools. He enlisted in the United States Army in November 1972 and received an honorable discharge as an E2 and continued serving in the National Guard. He was employed for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as a transportation maintenance worker, retiring December 1, 2009.

Cecil loved the outdoors and some of his main interests included fishing, camping, traveling and he collected eagles and liked to go to Kaw Lake and watch the eagles. He loved spending time with his family, especially during holidays. He was a “diehard OU/Dallas Cowboys fan”. He enjoyed collecting and helping gather black history for Black History Month for the Oklahoma Art Institute of Oklahoma City and occasionally had lunch with activist Clara Luper, a teacher, civic leader and a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement, who was also part of the Art Institute efforts. He also loved jazz and blues music. He would travel often for Billy Sims BBQ. He also loved volunteering and worked a lot to help restore Blaine School. 

Cecil is survived by his mother, Ernestene Williams; his children: Shalee Williams and partner Alex Suniga, Springfield, MO, Bobby Williams and wife Tiffany, Perry, and Ky Hughes, Indianapolis, Indiana; one sister, Rhonda Williams-Mason and husband Derek Mason, Stillwater; and brothers: Kevin Williams and wife LynDonna, Perry; Craig Williams and wife Kim, Ron Williams and wife Marie and Terry Williams and wife Linda, all of Stillwater; grandchildren: Jonathan Frenchman, Neveah Frenchman, Taylor Frenchman, Breanna Frenchman and Tevin Williams and wife Rachel; and special close friends: Wayne and Connie Powell and David and Lois Malget.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Sr.; brother, Arnold Rhodes; sister, Nikki Lynne Williams; and nieces, Alicia Dawn Williams and Adika Rye Williams.

A Celebration of Life has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Perry. Officiating will be Rev. Mangus Scott, pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church in Langston, and Rev. Maxie Vick, pastor of the Church of God in Christ.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.