Earnest Williams

EARNEST WILLIAMS OBITUARY Earnest (Ernie) Williams, born September 12, 1926, Sylvania, Georgia to Clarence and Nettie Williams, Sr., (deceased). He entered eternal rest on Friday, March 20, 2020 at JFK Hartwyck’s hospice at Edison Estates. Ernie was the eldest son of four children: two brothers, Clarence Williams, Jr., Thomas Melvin (deceased) and one sister, Louise (Flossie) Roberts (deceased). He was baptized as a Baptist at an early age, while being raised in Georgia. He attended the school system in Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country, as he fought in the Korean War. After serving in the Army, he relocated to New Jersey and lived with his uncle and Aunt, Deacon Edgar and Elizabeth Melvin (deceased) in Avenel, NJ. Afterwards, he moved to Perth Amboy, NJ. He lived more than 50 years in the second-floor apartment of his brother and sister-in-law’s house, with their children, nephew, Clarence Williams, III and niece, Linda Kay Lester. He joined the original First Baptist Church, which was an “all wood building with a pot belly stove” in the late 1950s. He was an active Trustee, until he became too ill to attend service. Ernie worked with the Fords Motor Company on Smith Street, Perth Amboy, for almost 30 years, until they closed. He worked at Vantage Motors, located at the Fords Motor location. While working full-time during the day at Fords Motors and Vantage Motors, he worked part-time in the evenings through-out the years at S. Klein, then the Woodbridge Mall, lastly Walmart, all in Woodbridge, NJ. He was a fixture for more than 50/60 years at the Superior Diner, Smith Street, Perth Amboy. Ernie was known for his quiet demeanor, a man of few words, hearty appetite, and meticulous cars. To his family and close friends, he was called “Jitterbug” for his love of dancing in his early/mid years. He enjoyed life and taught others the value of living and work. Within the last 15 years, he began having health issues. We are thankful that he was our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is survived by his son, Danny Jefferson, Georgia; daughter, Joyce Lett Williams Rutledge (Nathaniel), Alabama; granddaughters: Erica Alexandria Rutledge, Alabama, and Lauren Jonay Rutledge, Alabama; grandson, Nathaniel “Trey” Rutledge, III, Alabama; brother, Clarence (Savannah) Williams, Jr., New Jersey; sister-in-law, Daisy Melvin, North Carolina; cherished cousins: Rita Melvin, New Jersey, and Sharon Melvin Taylor (Barry), New Jersey; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. SUBMITTED BY THE FAMILY We thank you for your kindness and sympathy at a time when it is deeply appreciated.