Clarence B. Williams

Clarence B. Williams (CB) was born to Richard and Gertude Williams on November 6, 1949. During his life, he was a proud native son of Alcoa, TN, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, mentor, colleague, community supporter, humanitarian, justice advocate, conversationist, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ.

Following graduation from Charles M. Hall High School, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from Morristown College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He furthered his studies and training at the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Bowie State University, the National Training Laboratory, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the Justice Center of Atlanta. He was also a 2002 Leadership Blountgraduate.

His career began with an internship at Union Carbide from1968-1971. He joined the Atomic Energy Commission in 1972 as a Facility Compliance Officer. In the following years, he held positions as Senior Compliance Officer, Supervisor, Acting Branch Chief, and Acting RegionalDirector for several energy and labor-focused Federal agencies. He also served on a task force of the Office of Administrative Conferences of the United States. Clarencewas later employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where he was appointed by the TVA Board of Directors to the position of Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance in 1991. He served in that capacity until he retired in 2005.

Clarence was a lifelong learner who enjoyed traveling, fishing, American history, civics, and the arts. He had a sharp sense of style and loved spending time and talking with family and friends and investing in the lives of others. He never met a stranger and freely offered support, assistance, or counsel. He was also a committed chocolate, jazz, and cigar enthusiast.

Clarence was very engaged in his community. He served on the boards of Child and Family Services of Tennessee, the Frank H. McClung Museum, First Horizon Bank, and Blount Memorial Hospital. He was a member and later the President of the Board of Directors for Blount County Habitat for Humanity and Chairman of the Alcoa Regional Planning Commission. At the time of his passing, he served as the Executive Director and a Board Member of the Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy, which continues his family’s legacy of uplifting and mentoring young people to become critical independent thinkers and leaders.

Clarence committed his life to Christ at a young age andsaw his service to his community and his loved ones as both a continuation of his parents’ spirit and his Christian faith in action. He served others by following these wordsof Christ:

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:35-40NLT

Although his health presented challenges, Clarencerefused to let his illness prevent his community involvement during the last months of his life. He remained committed to his faith in God and those he loved until he parted his earthly life on Monday, May 25, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Richard Williams, Sr. and Gertrude Williams, brothers Jesse Williams, Richard “Ree” (Barbara) Williams, Richard Williams, Jr., Dr. Mike Williams, and George Williams, and sisters Henrietta Williams, Jeanette Williams Roper, and Geneva Williams Harrison.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon Y. Williams;daughter, Toshia (Stephen) SmithWilliams; son, Clarence R. Williams; beloved granddaughter, Laila S. Williams; brother, Reverend James (Minster Anita) Williams, and ahost of cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is also survived by dedicated friends, including: Bob Booker, Larry Brown, Robert Davis, Arnetta Echols, Rev. Fred Gibson, Attorney Wayne Kramer, Rev. Jerry Lewis, Sonny and Andre’ Prigmore, Frank Robinson, Nan Scruggs, Robbie Snapp, Rita Walker, NP Ken Watford, Charles M. Hall Class of 1968, the Hall and Oldfield communities, board and commission members, and many other valued friends and associates.

Although Clarence has transitioned to eternal life, his legacy of service lives on through the work of the Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy and the Charles M. Hall Alumni Association. Each of these organizations promotes scholastic and social excellence for Blount County youth.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorialcontributions to be sent to:

The Richard Williams Jr. Leadership Development Academy

201 S. Washington StreetMaryville, TN 37804

OR

The Charles M. Hall Alumni Association

P.O. Box 102

Alcoa, TN 37701

https://CharlesMHallAlumni.Org

The Williams family would like to offer special thanks to:

Cecilia Clemmons, Clarence’s dedicated caregiver,

Robert Davis and the staff at Foothills Funeral Home, Maryville, TN

Pastor Charles F. Lomax, Jr. and the St. John Missionary Baptist Church family, Alcoa, TN

Pastor David Arnold and the musicians of Anointed Vision of Hope, Riverdale, GA

The family also thanks and appreciates all friends and family who have expressed condolences and other acts of Kindness.

Receiving of Friends will be Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Noon EST, at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 178 Bessie Harvey Avenue, Alcoa, TN 37701. The Celebration of Life service will follow immediately.

Please join the family at the reception afterwards.