Sacramento Mourns Loss Of Spiritual Leader Dr. Ephraim Williams

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer

Sacramento’s faith-based community is mourning the loss of a “spiritual giant.”

Dr. Ephraim Williams, pastor emeritus of Sacramento’s St. Paul Church, passed away Nov. 9 at age 91.

Dr. Williams, a native of Summit, Mississippi, took the helm of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1971. He grew the Oak Park area sanctuary into one of the largest and most respected in the Sacramento region. Dr. Williams saw the church and the surrounding neighborhood through change and challenges. He was known as a community builder, maintaining relationships with other area leaders as they sought to improve the quality of life for their citizens.

Daniel Hahn, who grew up in Oak Park and served as the city’s first Black police chief, said he’ll miss the counsel, comfort and accountability Dr. Williams always gave freely.

“Pastor Williams is a true Sacramento icon, selfless servant and a blessing to our Sacramento community,” Hahn said.

“Pastor Williams had a special gift of listening and was always a comforting person to confide in during challenging times. He was a man of principle that could not be shaken, no matter the conflict.”

Sacramento’s first Black mayor, Kevin Johnson, also grew up in Oak Park and considered Dr. Williams to be a mentor, adviser and father figure. Johnson declared Sept. 26, 2010, as Dr. Ephraim Williams Day and presented him with a key to the city a year later. Current Mayor Darrel Steinberg presented Williams with another in 2020.

“Sacramento has lost a legend,” said Johnson, who operates his St. HOPE Public Schools in the area and opened the first of his national Fixins restaurant chain in his old neighborhood as well.

“To say that Ephraim Williams was a pillar of the community does not even scratch the surface of who he was, what he stood for or what he meant to Sacramento,” Johnson said.

“He was one who always said that faith did not reside within the four walls of the sanctuary; therefore Pastor Williams led efforts within and had an impact on every corner of our great city.”

“He was a true giant in Sacramento’s faith community, a guiding light to countless lives and a friend,” said grassroots organizer Faye Wilson Kennedy.

Dr. Williams retired in 2020 and handed the duty of leading the church to his successor, Rev. Kenneth Reece.

“His leadership and compassion have profoundly shaped our lives and our church, inspiring countless individuals to walk in faith and love,” Rev. Reece said.

Many considered Dr. Williams a spiritual father. To daughter Gwen Williams, he was simply “the best dad.” She fondly recalls her father’s kindness, love and dedication to his faith, which extended from the pulpit to his home life. She admired his commitment and his consistency.

“The thing about my dad that really impressed me is that the way he conducted himself at the church and in the pulpit, that’s what he did at the house. He never changed,” Gwen Williams said.

Dr. Williams is credited with growing the church from 100 members to more than 2,400. Under his leadership, St. Paul offered more than 65 diverse programs to serve community needs, including health and fitness, youth mentorship, employment assistance, literacy services, and emergency aid. The church’s family life center bears his name. Dr. Williams also has a middle school in the Fortune charter school system named in his honor.

Dr. Williams’ leadership was recognized throughout the country. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama invited him and other Black pastors to the White House. Locally, he received numerous awards and accolades, including from the California Black Legislative Caucus, the Sacramento City Council, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

His extensive bio highlighted his leadership in numerous religious and civic organizations, including the National Baptist Convention, the California State Baptist Convention, the Sacramento NAACP, the Greater Sacramento Urban League, Sacramento Baptist Ministers Conference, Women’s Civic Improvement Center, and St. HOPE Academy. 

Dr. Williams was preceded in death by his beloved wife and first lady, Carrie Sue Martin-Williams and son Ephraim “Butch” Williams Jr. He is survived by brother Roosevelt Williams, daughter Gwen, four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews. Also left to cherish his memory is his extended St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church family.

Services had yet to be announced at press time. The OBSERVER will publish a special print edition honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Ephraim Williams next week.