Bishop Johnny Williams

Bishop Dr. Johnny Roy Williams, 88 of Poplar Bluff was called home Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Bishop Williams was born February 18th, 1938, in Deering MO, to the late Jethro and Mary Louise (Lane) Williams. He married the love of his life, Dr. Hattie Williams, August 24, 1957, in Poplar Bluff. Mo. Williams was among Southeast Missouri’s most influential and beloved citizens, and was legendary for his tremendous contributions to ministry, music, law enforcement, and youth guidance.

Williams began his life in ministry as deacon of New Light M.B. Church, but came to the understanding that his destiny was to be a preacher of the gospel. In about 1979, he began his first pastoral post with the Morning Star M.B. Church of Broseley Missouri. His next assignment would be as pastor of Northside Baptist Church of Kennett Missouri. He founded the True Believers M.B. Church of Poplar Bluff Missouri in 1989 in the historic J. Minnie Smith School building, and for a time served leading both the Poplar Bluff and Kennett congregations, before ultimately dedicating his entire focus to the ministry he founded. Bishop was once again called upon to lead two congregations, when Mt. Sinai Methodist Church of Poplar Bluff was in need of a pastor. Bishop Johnny Williams was elected the congregation’s new pastor, and again served leading two congregations for many years.

Throughout many of his years in ministry, Williams was bi-vocational, preaching on Sundays, but serving as both a detective and the chief of the juvenile division, and was in law enforcement for over 23 years, before retiring to work with youth in Poplar Bluff’s Jr. High School.

On Oct 7th, 2018, in a ministry alliance with his sons Bishop Leroy Williams and Pastor Carl Williams, then Pastor Johnny Williams was crowned bishop. Prior to being crowned bishop, Williams functioned as the moderator of the Friendship District Association of Southeast Missouri, presiding over more than 20 pastors, beginning in 1995. He held the post for approximately 16 years, while also functioning as over seer of the Semo Baptist Youth Camp. Bishop Dr. Johnny Williams received his honorary doctorate in ministry, along with his wife Hattie L. Williams October 29th, 2011, presented by The International Bible College of Theology, in Norris City Illinois. He has been involved in the crowning and ordinations of a tremendous number of pastors, ministers, missionaries and deacons.

In 1995 Bishop Williams became an entrepreneur co-founding Williams Corner Grocery with his wife, son Bishop Leroy and daughter in law First Lady Annie. The business delivered hot home cooked meals, primarily to Poplar Bluff Industrial Park workers, being most famous for the huge sandwiches called Aunt Hattie’s Big Cheeseburgers, named after Bishop’s loving wife. Williams was also a faithful member of the Christian Echoes Gospel Singers. The group performed live on radio weekly on Poplar Bluff’s KLID for decades and traveled throughout the country, releasing a CD in 1999. In 2023 The musical influence of Bishop Williams and the Christian Echoes was etched into the nation’s history, and became part of the nation’s archives in the Library of Congress through the panel discussion, Rural African American Gospel Traditions, which was a program of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.

Bishop Williams was preceded in death by his entire immediate family as he was the last remaining; including his parents Jethro Williams and Mary Louise (Lane) Williams, and his siblings, Jethro Williams Jr., Mitchell Williams, Mary Louise (Williams) Kyles, Jessie Williams, Hattie Williams, June Marie (Williams) Webb, Jeff Williams, Sam Williams, Charles Williams, Dortha Williams: His wife, Dr. Hattie Williams, two daughters/sons in law: Janice Marie Richie (and Keith Richie) and Patricia Ann Britton (and Matthew Britton); and one grandson John Richie.

Surviving are children; Pastor Carl Williams (Helen), Minister Dr. Purity Williams, Bishop Dr. Leroy Williams (Dr. Annie), Apostle Dr. Anthony Williams (Connie); 20 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren, and a host of community members, church members, family, and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff.  The homegoing service will begin at 1 p.m. and burial to follow at City Cemetery.