Ernie Williams
1933 - 2023

Ernest “Ernie” Sharp Williams passed away peacefully at his home on April 17th surrounded by family. Ernie was the son of the late Thomas and Amy Williams who was born on August 24, 1933 and spent his childhood in Macon, Mississippi. In 1944 he and his sister Luella (deceased) along with their parents moved to Seattle, Washington, making the Pacific Northwest their permanent home.

Ernie attended the public schools of Seattle, graduating from Grover Cleveland High School in 1952. He met and married his first wife, Evangeline Duncan (deceased), in 1953 and from this union had 5 children – Anthony, Linda, Kimberly, Ernest, and Mark. Later in life, he met and married his second wife, Christine Proctor (deceased), in 1976 and from this union had 1 child, Jennifer, along with 2 stepchildren Gregory and Karen.

After a brief employment with the Seattle branch of the United States Post Office, Ernie joined the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 19 at the Seattle waterfront in 1958. He worked his way through the ranks, starting out as a stevedore before moving on to positions of truck driver, crane operator, and checker. Ernie was also a supervisor and trainer. He was highly favored and valued by all who worked with him and had worked on the waterfront for nearly 50 years by the time of his retirement!

Outside of work and family, Ernie was an avid bowler – a member of the first African American bowling league in Seattle called The Gay 40’s from 1963-2010, before later changing the name to McKenzie Valley. He was also a huge sports fan and would watch almost any game, regardless of who was playing, although his favorite teams were the Mariners and Seahawks. Ernie also enjoyed fixing things around the house (including his cars), playing the horses, and playing the slot machines.

Ernie was loved by all who knew him and was always willing to give a helping hand to those in need. He was soft-spoken, and because he was so quiet, when he did speak it was time to listen because more often than not words of wisdom came from his mouth. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Ernie leaves to cherish his memory: son Anthony Williams (Linda), daughter Linda Wells (James), daughter Kimberly Williams, son Ernest Williams, son Mark Williams (Lanita), daughter Lakisha Devine (Steve), daughter Jennifer Williams, daughter Jarrita Carter; stepson Michael Henderson; stepson Gregory Dillingham; stepdaughter Karen Taylor; nephew James Glymph (Cristine); grandchildren LeSean Perkins (Flanna), James Wells, Constance Wells, Kristina Williams, Shurae Williams, Scelina Irving, Ernest Williams Jr. (Tiffany), Antoinette Williams, Mark Williams Jr., Shaniqua Humphrey (Charlie), Tre Williams, Brooklyn Williams, Aliyah Carector, Alanna Bates-Carector, Kendall Dillingham, Chloe Williams, Amerie Monson, Adyn Monson, Anaïs Monson, Elaia Monson, Elliot Monson; a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, and many friends. He also leaves behind his special companion Audrey Starkey.

Ernie Williams on the right and his mother Amy Williams on the left. Photo taken at the ILWU July 5, 1997 Memorial Picnic at Lincoln Park in Seattle.