Fred D. Williams III

Published 7:39 am Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Lifelong Selma resident and businessman, Fred D. Williams, III passed away on June 11 ,2013.

Mr. Williams owned and operated Fred’s Flower and Gift Shop for four decades until his retirement in 2011. He owned and operated Fairlawn Memory Gardens and was Corporate President of J.H. Williams and Sons Funeral Home, Inc. a 108 year old family business.

Fred, or “Junior” as he was known by many, was born September 28, 1936, in Selma to the late Fred and Mary Ellen Williams. He attended public schools in Selma until high school when he went to prep school in Richmond, Virginia. He later attended Stillman College.

In 1955 he returned to Selma and opened Fred’s Flower Shop. Even though he had grown up in the funeral business, he was proud to say, “ I have loved flowers all my life. As a child our neighbor was Mrs. John B. Blanton who had a flower shop on the corner of Dallas Avenue and Pettus Street. That was right across the street from us and the seeds of my interest in flowers flourished.”

In 1958 Fred married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Jean “Mott” Lee. They were married for forty-five years until her death in July 15, 2003. They had three daughters, Karen, Kaye, and Kim.

In the early 60’s, Fred moved to California where he did freelance design work and was a partner in Hollywood’s Alpha Florist. He loved to tell stories about the famous and interesting people he met. One of his stories was how he created the wedding for the daughter of Hollywood icon Bette Davis. “She wanted the best and we provided just that. However, it took much difficulty in getting her to pay, but eventually she did.”

Fred returned to Selma in 1970 and became the first black member of the Alabama State Florist Association. Nine years later he was elected the organization’s president. His interest also extended to Auburn university where he taught a course in floral design for 15 years.

Fred was very involved in the Selma community. He served for many years as a Trustee of Brown Chapel AME Church and on the boards of Sturdivant Hall, the Vaughan-Smitherman Building and the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society. In 2008 he was honored with the Tim Bjelke Historic Preservation Award. He was a charter member of the 12 High Club, a member of Chesterfield Club and a founding member of the Tuesday Night Group.

Fred received the Lifetime Membership Award from the Alabama State Florist Association. He was also licensed funeral director and former member of the Alabama Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Jean Williams; their infant daughter, Karen; his parents, Fred and Mary Ellen Williams; his brother, Charles Anthony Williams.

Survivors include daughters, Kaye F. Williams of Alexandria, VA, Kimberly Williams-Dillon of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughters, McKenzie and Madison Dillon.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Historic Brown Chapel AME Church with interment to follow at Fairlawn Memory Gardens.