Longtime ILWU Local 10 President Cleophas Williams mourned

Cleophas Williams, 93, of Oakland, California, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2016. He was born June 12, 1923, to John Henry and Bertha Williams in Camden, Arkansas. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, and college in Pine Bluff. After school in 1942, Cleophas joined the army where he was granted an honorable discharge.

Cleophas-Williams-1, Longtime ILWU Local 10 President Cleophas Williams mourned, Culture Currents
Cleophas Williams

In 1944, after his move to California, he was hired at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). He attended Labor-Management School at the University of San Francisco. After 24 years with the union he became involved in union politics, and by 1967 he became the first African-American president of ILWU on the West Coast for Local 10 (San Francisco). Williams would eventually serve as president for four terms. In 1980, he was the chairman of a union delegation to the Peoples Republic of China. He can be seen at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., under “Labor.”

He was a member of Downs United Methodist Church for over 40 years and attended many World Methodist conferences. He and his wife became travelers over six continents and on many cruises.

Cleophas Williams was a life member of the NAACP and a member of the East Bay Congress United Methodist Men and was the recipient of the Bishop’s Award for distinguished service to the church. A valued member of Booker T. Washington Alumni Association of Texarkana, Arkansas, Northern California Chapter, Williams was also a member of Friends of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park and a member of The Friends of the Negro Spirituals, as well as a participant in “In Our Own Words” for the Negro Spiritual Heritage Keepers.

Williams is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Sadie Williams. He is also survived by his children, Gwen Williams, Jacqueline Chauhan and Dan Rahmaan; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and great, great-grands and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter Cleveola Autry, son Harold Williams Sr., granddaughter Tashna Bridgemon, sisters Alma Broussard and Marie Lange and brother Eltesa Williams.

The memorial service will be held Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Taylor United Methodist Memorial Church, 1188 12th St., Oakland, California 94607.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4