Bishop Joseph D. Williams, Jr., affectionately called “JD" was born on September 16, 1948, to the Founders of Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the late Bishop Joseph D. Williams, Sr. and Missionary Bessie Lurleen (Friday) Williams in Columbia, SC. Bishop Williams departed his early life on Thursday, July 21, 2017.

He attended Richland County Public Schools and graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in 1966. His desire was to be a pilot but was approached to play professional basketball for the Atlanta Hawks. However, he proceeded to accept his call to ministry instead. Bishop Williams was certified in Auto Mechanics and Computer Science as a trade. He worked as a painter at Allied Chemical for almost 17 years and resigned to become a full time Pastor. He was also a classically trained pianist.

Bishop Williams was baptized in Jesus Name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at a very early age.  He was called into the ministry at the young age of 16 at a Young People’s service night.  After the death of Bishop J D Williams, Sr. in 1966, he was appointed pastor of the Headquarters Church in Columbia, SC. He was a licensed Minister upon being appointed Pastor of the Killian Church in 1973. In August 1984, during the 40th Annual Holy Convocation, Minister Joseph D. Williams was ordained as Elder. Also during this convocation the National Board of Presbytery was established and he was selected to serve as Chairman. Bishop Williams was ordained as a Bishop at the 64th Annual Holy Convocation in July 2008.

He was a featured speaker on the first national recording of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ entitled “If You Praise Him He Will Deliver You”.

Bishop Williams has many accolades but his greatest accomplishment was his family.  He met the late Ella Rose Millhouse and eventually married her on July 1, 1967, at the Progressive Church on Barhamville Road. As a result of this union five children were born.  

He traveled extensively across the United States and Canada (Toronto, Niagara and Windsor) and the Caribbean. He enjoyed history and incorporated a class (Apologetics). The defending of the gospel through the study of biblical and world history.

He was preceded in death by the late Ella Rose Millhouse, Kevin Prince Hill and Kayla Al’Shunise Williams.

Bishop Williams leaves to mourn his passing his beloved five children; Joseph David, III and LaKoskiski Williams, Rodney Jerome and Niketa Williams both of Columbia, SC; Anthony Gerald and Diane Williams of Tampa, FL; Joy Denise and Kevin Hill of Oro Valley, AZ; and Jaime Darrell Williams and Shayla Darby, of Columbia, SC, four daughter in laws;  fifthteen grandchildren; Ebouni NeKieishsha  and Rodric Moultrie, Faith Alexandria, Robin Michayle’, Raven Michayla, Jayla LaCora, Jordan Rose, Rodney Jerome, Jr., Joshua Caleb, Aaron Whetstone, Khori Whetstone, Joy Rose Hill, KeVina Kleopatra Rose Hill, Jamierius Darrell and Heaven Shauntavis, two great grandchildren; Elise Arie- Rose Dow and Raylnn Domonique Moultrie and one sister in law; Ms. Theresa Johnson of Savannah, GA.