The late Rev. Floyd Nathaniel “F.N.” Williams Sr. is being remembered as a committed religious and civil rights leader who cared deeply about his community. Williams, who served as pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Acres Homes for 66 years, died Sept. 27 at age 95. Services are pending.
He held numerous local and state positions over the years, including founder of Houston Ministers Against Crime, president of the Houston Baptist Pastors and Ministers Fellowship, moderator of the Independent Baptist General Association of Texas, first vice president of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas and first vice president of the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston.
He was nationally known as well. He worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and played a key role in King’s 1967 visit to Houston. He brought the late President George H.W. Bush to Acres Homes.
Williams was born into a family of ministers and was the son of the Rev. M.C. Williams and grandson of Rev. Mike Williams. He attended Bishop College
and earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he began his pastoral career at Greater Union Baptist Church in Matthews, Texas. He later served at Baptist churches in Eagle Lake and Beaumont. He was named pastor of Antioch in 1958 following his father’s death.
In addition to his ministerial work, he served as editor of the Globe Advocate Newspaper, director of the Houston Council on Human Relations, director of the Northwest Water District City of Houston, member of HISD Human Relations Committee and member of the KYOK Advisory Board.
Houstonians remember Rev. F.N. Williams
“Another legend is gone! From Acres Homes, Houston, God used [Rev. Williams] to bless our state, the nation and the world.” – NAACP Houston Branch President James Dixon II
“My condolences on the loss of the one and only Rev. Dr. F.N. Williams. My prayers are with the family, friends, and church community.” – State Rep. Ron Reynolds
“Rev. Williams’ passing leaves an unfillable void in my life and a great loss in the community he served so faithfully. Over the years, he introduced me to the Acres Homes community, showing me the value of service, leadership, and faith.” – Mayor John Whitmire