Benjamin R. Williams II

Benjamin R. Williams II passed away peacefully at the age of 64 in his home in Shaker Heights, Ohio on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

Benjamin R. Williams II (Ben Jr.) of the late Benjamin R. Williams Sr. and Delois E. Williams was born in Gulfport Mississippi on July 19, 1956. Ben Jr. was the second oldest of three children. Throughout his younger years, his older sister Kathlyn and his younger brother Brian always surrounded him. He was educated in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District during his primary years where he excelled in the gifted and talented education programs. Benjamin II graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1974. He attended Kent State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pan-African Studies. While at Kent State University he pledged the Gamma Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. on June 4, 1977.

Benjamin II married Millionease in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. From this matrimony, one child was born Benjamin Williams III. Ben Jr. confessed his life to Christ at an early age. He later went on to join Glenville Presbyterian Church, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He furthered his education by attending Cleveland State University attaining a Teaching License in High School Social Studies (7-12). Benjamin II worked as an educator in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District as well as the East Cleveland City School District, displaying a wonderful propensity for educating his people. He also coached basketball, track, cross-country, volleyball and assisted with other sports showing his penchant for athletics and cultivating the youth. Benjamin II truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures, chatting with friends and family, listening to music and spending time with his loved ones. Benjamin always had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way.

Family always came first for Benjamin II. He was a dedicated and loving, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. For the past two years, his grandson Benjamin IV has been his pride and joy. He enjoyed fishing, playing board games, gardening and was a savant on the barbecue grill. Ben Jr. was a true people person. His giving had no limits. Whether it was through the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, mentoring programs or in his own free time; Benjamin II was always there to lend a helping hand and share stories that created bonds and connected the past to the present moment. Besides loving people, Benjamin II loved animals, especially dogs and fish. He collected a wide variety of objects, from stamps to coins. Ben Jr. was a comedian. He kept people rolling in laughter because he could find humor in the most mundane life circumstances.

Benjamin II, in his loving memory, leaves to cherish his only child Benjamin Williams III (Leticia), his grandson Benjamin IV, his mother Delois E. Williams, his sister Kathlyn Williams, brother Brian Williams, nieces Kamilah Williams (Kalilah), Karimah Williams, Kamaria Williams and a host of relatives and friends.