Rodney Duane Williams

Rodney Duane Williams, age 54, was born to Virginia Crawford and the late Rodger Williams in Columbus, OH, went home to be with the Lord on September 29, 2013.
Rodney was raised in Columbus, OH and attended Linden McKinley High School. He participated in football and track. The Linden Eagles Track Team he participated in won the state championship track record for three straight years. As a result, Rodney earned his older brother Rodger’s nickname of “Fast Black” and was also known as “Hot Rod”. While still attending Linden, he enrolled in CETA (Concentrated Employment Training Act), a summer work program. Following the program he was selected to work for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, where he retired in 2006.
Rodney, one of twelve siblings, enjoyed spending time with his family barbequing and listening to Old School music. Family and friends always looked forward to his waive and smile while he worked in his yard. Rodney loved good conversation and could talk for hours. Mostly all his sentences ended with him confirming your understanding by saying “Right”. Everywhere he went he knew someone and was always receiving and happy to see you. He loved him some Linda, and together they formed a unity of love along with children, Duke, Lena and Steve, for over 27 years. Rodney was devoted to his mother, Virginia, and the up-brining of nieces Melanie and Kimyatta. Cerissa always called him “Uncle Smoky”.
He is preceded in death by his father Roger “Buck” Williams, Sr., sister Dana, grandparents John and Willa Mae Crawford, Abner and Bretha Byrant, uncle Frankie Crawford, aunt Billie J. Crawford, mother-in-law Ruth Bristol and brother-in-law Monte Clark.
He leaves to cherish his memory the love of his life Linda, mother Virginia Crawford, son Rodney Williams, Jr., Lena (Nate) Jones and Steven Michael Jr., brothers; Roger (Amy), Tony, Timmy (Camille), LeVar Williams, sisters; Peaches (Robert) Briggs, Valinda, Carol “Knee-C” and Kimberly Williams, Mona Wooding and Bonnie (Herb) White, step-mother, Debbie Williams, uncles; Thomas (Kathleen) Crawford and Abner Bryant, aunt Ruby Radcliff, father in-law, William Bristol, sister-in-law, Arleen (Mark) Russell, four grandchildren and a loving host of cousins, nieces, nephew and special friends.