By Deidre Montague
The Gospel and Quartet industry experienced a devasting loss as the family announced that Lee Williams passed away on August 30, 2021 at the age of 74.. Williams had been sick for some time, as he dealing with dementia. On December 8th, 2018, he performed his final farewell concert, in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi, before heading into retirement.
Known as the “Father of Quartet, Williams has had an long-lasting career, starting in the 1960s, National success came to Williams and his group in the 1990s, followed with hit albums with hits such as “I’ve Learned to Lean, according to The Daily Journal and USA Today.com. Other fan favorites include “Cooling Water,” “Good Time,” and “I Can’t Give Up.”
Fans from all over are feeling the loss of Willams, from Gospel stars to his faithful fans.
Hartford Native and National Gospel Star, Kurr Carr, wrote a social media tribute in honor of Williams, noting that“A giant of the quartet world has received his wings,” as he asks his fans to “keep the family in prayer.”
K-Ci Hailey, of Jodeci and K-Ci and JoJo fame, also posted a moving social media tribute to Lee Williams, citing that he “was a true icon who I looked up to.”
The Stellars Awards, the premiere awards for Gospel Music, also shared their sorrow about Williams’ passing on their social media page, as they “send their thoughts, prayers, and sympathy” to his loved ones. Willams and his group won the Stellar Awards’ James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, according to The Associated Press.
His faithful fans come from all over the world, including here in the New England area.
Professor Lisa Clayton, Director of the University of Connecticut’s Voices of Freedom Gospel Choir, had the following to say about Lee Williams and his passing.
“Lee Williams is was an American treasure, his music ministered to the masses and his effortless singing encouraged the soul. He was not only a great ambassador for Quartet music, he was an Ambassador for the Kingdom.”
Denise Stewart, radio host of “Inspirational Beginnings,” Gospel Show on WTCC 90.7 in Springfield, MA talks about her first time being introduced to Lee Williams and his music, back in 1998, as an up and coming artist.
“Lee Willams was a very interesting type of person…. artists that that I was familiar with, up until that time, they had they had something going on that you would remember…Well, Lee Williams just stood in one place, tapped his toe, kind of leaned back, and sang whatever it was that he was going to sing….sang you into feeling really good.”
Pastor Jesse Burgess of Power Gospel Pentacostal Ministries in Springfield, MA talked about what he will remember most about Lee Williams and his music, both as a radio host for WTCC and a lead singer for his own Gospel Quartet group, “Preacherman and The Singing Saints.”
“He did it his way. In Quartet, as a lead singer, there’s certain people that they pattern themselves after, some of the legends such as Willie Neal Johnson, Joe Legion, and they had a certain style that a lot of people adapted to. But when it came to Lee Williams, he did not go after what was popular, he decided to be himself. With him being himself, it brought him in front of a lot of great people.
Estelle Freeland, who was an avid attender of Lee Williams’ concerts within the New England Area, shares her fond love for his voice and mission of sharing The Gospel.
“It got people’s attention, when it comes to his music. That baritone voice, he was great. He was about being a servant. He was a very humble person, well dressed and loved to sing. He would sing the house down…”
Another fan of Williams’, Laura Crawford talks about her feelings about Lee Williams and his his music.
“He has a spirit that no man has. I thank God that I had a chance to meet him. People follow him because he had this spirit of your grandma and your great grandma gave you. So he can deliver a song just by standing still. He was so great, he didn’t have to move around doing any shouting and screaming….people in wheelchairs come from miles around just to see Lee Williams.
Sally Montague, who traveled with Freeland and Crawford to see Lee Williams in concert, said the following about how impactful it was for her to see him
“What was experienced when attending one of his appearances was both mesmerizing as well as a renewed journey into “down home” spiritual awareness. Williams put to music what many of us were taught as youngsters and practiced as adults, with a look into the future as to what awaited those who have given their lives to Christ…He will be missed by many, but the musical legacy he has left us will always keep him close to our hearts.”
As the Gospel /Quartet Community, Family, Friends and Fans mourn the loss of the Legend Lee Williams, Professor Lisa Clayton states the following about Gospel music, as a whole.
“Gospel music is a global phenomenon that reaches the very soul of those who embrace it and is a catalyst for change for those who experience it.”
This quote encompasses what Lee Williams did for so many, he touched the hearts and lives of his fans and changed their lives for the better through his music, his humility, and his authenticity.
Welcome Home, Lee Williams. You will be forever loved and cherished by all.
