Marion Rodney Williams
August 31, 1938 - April 21, 2026

Marion Rodney Williams, pastor, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Greenville, Texas, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, April 25, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Greenville with Rev. Jimmy DiLavore, Rev. Jim Gatliff, Rev. Paul Faseler, Rev. Jason Rolen and Rev. Kent Lenard officiating. Visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2026 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Interment will be in Memoryland Memorial Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Ruth Williams of Pittsburg, Texas. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Virginia Solice Williams. He is also survived by his two daughters, Anna Lee Polk (Ken) and Angela Kay Hudgins (Steven), both of Greenville, Texas.
Rodney leaves behind five grandchildren: Justin Polk of Greenville, Texas; LeeAnne DiLavore (Jimmy) of Hendersonville, Tennessee; Mya Ramirez (Isaac) of West Monroe, Louisiana; Cora Moncibaiz (Oscar) of Dallas, Texas; and Corbin Hudgins of Timonium, Maryland. He was also blessed with two great-granddaughters, Mila Grace Ramirez and Margo Monroe Ramirez.

He is also survived by his brother, Gene Williams (Patsy), of Pittsburg, Texas, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

His Life, His Faith, His Legacy

Rodney was born on August 31, 1938, in Baytown, Texas. At an early age, his family moved to Pittsburg, Texas, where he lived until graduating from high school. It was during his high school years that God called him into ministry.

Following graduation, Rodney pursued that calling by attending East Texas Baptist University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He went on to graduate with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and continued his studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

When Rodney "officially" retired, he had faithfully served in ministry for 62 years. He began pastoring while still in college, serving his first church, Beulah Baptist Church in Logansport, Louisiana, followed by Gray Baptist Church in Gray, Texas. During his time in seminary, he pastored Smyrna Baptist Church in Atlanta, Texas.

After completing his education, Rodney continued his ministry at Mimosa Lane Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas; First Baptist Church in Dalhart, Texas; South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, Texas; and Emory Baptist Church in Emory, Texas.

He later served as Director of Missions for the Hunt Baptist Association and as a Field Strategist for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, where he invested in and encouraged pastors and churches across the region. Throughout his years of service, Rodney also served as an interim pastor for many churches, faithfully guiding congregations through seasons of transition. In his later years, he helped establish The Well Baptist Church, where he remained a devoted member.

When you ask people about Rodney Williams, a few things quickly come to mind...

First, he was a cowboy at heart. He loved horses and the open land, and he never outgrew that love. In his early years of ministry, his oldest daughter would often ride horseback with him when he visited church members. He even spent time praying at rodeos in the middle of the dust and noise because that's who he was. Second, he loved to deer hunt. Rodney began hunting as a young boy and carried that passion throughout his life. He cherished the time spent with his hunting buddies and the stories that came with it. He taught one of his daughters and several of his grandchildren how to hunt, passing down not just a skill, but time together and lasting memories. On his final deer hunt, he got his ''big one''â€"a moment he had waited for and thoroughly enjoyed.

However, above all, Rodney was known as a prayer warrior. He spent countless hours talking with the Lordâ€"lifting up his family, churches, friends, and especially his grandchildren. He didn't just say he would prayâ€"he did. Quietly and faithfully, he carried others' burdens before the Lord. His prayers were steady, sincere, and full of faith, trusting God in every season. While the full impact may not be known this side of heaven, there is no doubt that lives were changed because Rodney faithfully went to the Lord on their behalf.

Rodney's life was marked by faithfulness to his calling, his family, and most of all to the Lord. He didn't just preach the Gospel; he lived it. His legacy is one of love, service, and unwavering faith. Though he will be deeply missed, his family rejoices that he heard, ''Well done, good and faithful servant.'' While his work on earth is complete, the impact of his life and his prayers will continue for generations.

Pallbearers Isaac Ramirez, Oscar Moncibaiz, Frank Nimrichter, Kevin Waldroup, David Diggs, Kyle Mitchell, Ron Williams and Agustin Clemente.

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