Bertram Christopher Williams, Sr
September 22, 1920 - July 17, 2006
Obituary
Bertram C. Williams, Sr. was born Sept 22nd, 1920, the second of six children, to Johnell and Lucille Williams in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His brother, Johnell, Jr., and four sisters Edith, Jean, Dorothy, and Carolyn preceded him in death. Raised in his town of birth, he attended Booker T. Washington High School and went on to continue his education at Langston University.
Bert was very proud of his military service background. He enlisted in 1942, and served four years with the first all black 92nd Infantry Division also known as the Buffalo Soldiers, where he was committed to combat in Europe during World War II.
As a Technical Sergeant, Rifle Expert and Radio Chief, he earned two Bronze Service Stars.
He was sent to Fort Lawton for his honorable discharge in 1945, where fate would bring Bert and Ernestine Rutledge together in 1946. They were married on July 2nd, 1947 and remained soul mates and inseparable for 59 years. To the union were born three children, Barbara, Loretta who passed away in 1998, and Bertram, Jr. He was a devoted and loving father who derived his greatest happiness from being with his family.
Bert started his career in aerospace at Boeing in 1947, and worked his way up the ladder to become one of the first two African American supervisors in the company’s storied history. He influenced and mentored many lives and careers along the way, and there are many grateful employees working today who are beneficiaries of his corporate wisdom and guidance. Bert retired from The Boeing Co. in 1984 as Corporate Manager of Equal Employment Opportunity. His expertise in this field led to his selection to Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s Special Task Force on affirmative action. Bert also served on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Urban League, as well as staying active with the local NAACP branch.
Bert was a most distinguished member of the Royal Esquire Club. He was a founding member and served the membership in several leadership capacities during his 58 years there. His positions served include President and Chairman of the Board, and he is the only club member to have achieved the Parliamentarian Emeritus distinction.
Bert and Ernestine have been faithful members of First A.M.E. Church for over fifty years. They are loved and admired by their church family, and Bert will be deeply missed by them.
Bert leaves to carry on his legacy of love and devotion his wife of 59 years, Ernestine Williams, daughter Barbara Williams Banon, son and daughter-in-law Bertram Williams, Jr. and Denise Williams. Three granddaughters, Danielle Banon, Alexis Williams, and Kelsey Williams, grandson Michael Williams, two nieces, Lynn Hill Corky of Tulsa Oklahoma, Gerri Williams of Washington D.C., two great nephews, Williams Whayne of Tulsa and Blaine Williams of Minneapolis, Minnesota, one great niece Christie Whayne of Tulsa and sister-in-law Ruth Williams of Minneapolis.
Memorial service will be Friday, July 21, 2006 at 11:00 am at First A.M.E. Church, 1522 14th Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98122.
In my earlier years with the Boeing Company, I had the pleasure of working with Bert in his capacity as Corporate EEO manager. He was a true gentleman and a pleasure to be around. I ran into him in the waiting room of a doctor’s office a few years ago and had a wonderful conversation with him. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend today’s service.
To Barb Banon and family, our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you all at this time
know that he is taking his well deserved rest in his Saviours arms…
My heart-felt sympathies & prayers go out to you knowing that God will give you comfort and peace during this time and always. With love in Christ, Laurie
My prayers and thoughts are with Mr. Williams’ family. Mr. Williams was one of the first leads and later supervisor of mine when I hired in at Boeing in 1955. His intellect was brought forth as he wrote much of the procedures that we used in our organization. He remained a friend, and always had a wonderful greeting whenever we would meet later when he worked in Corporate. He was a great influence in my career at Boeing, and I will always remember him. May he rest in peace.