Mr. Chester Lee Williams

July 24, 1944 - May 14, 2019

Mr. Chester Lee Williams, age 74, departed this life on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Chester Lee Williams was born July 24, 1944, to the late Oscar Williams and Edith Massey Williams Bullock in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised with his brother and sisters, Oscar "OJ" Williams, Jr., Patricia Martin and Mabel Thompson. Chester was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Martin. He passed away in his home in Cary, North Carolina on May 14, 2019. Chester cultivated a creative mind that eventually led him to pursue an education in fine arts and sculpture at North Carolina Central University (BA) and the University of Michigan (MFA). A lifelong artist, Chester's work has been featured in galleries and publications across the country. The body of his work produced over 45 years has evolved from smooth and supple sculptures into the more angular and defiant shapes seen in his later works. Chester has said: "All of the works are me. I still embrace every one of them." A collection of Chester's artwork can be seen online at ChesterLWilliams.com. Chester enjoyed traveling and exploring different cultures. His art was influenced by his travel and knowledge of African culture. He was an educator for 37 years, teaching at Voorhees College, North Carolina Central University and Florida A&M University before retiring in 2011. Surviving relatives include his three sons, Corey T. Williams (Marsha Williams) of Great Mills, MD, Christopher Williams (Tracee Thigpen Williams) of Greenville, NC and Cheston Williams of Tallahassee, FL, from his marriage to Lauren B. Sapp; brother, Oscar "OJ" Williams, Jr.; sister, Mabel Thompson; grandson, Charles Xavier Williams; and many loving family members and friends. "I hope that all of my life is in my art -- my hopeful youth, my wiser middle-age, my identity as an American, and my undeniable affinity with African forms."--Chester Lee Williams A celebration of life service will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Christ Family Church, 760 Reedy Creek Road, Cary, North Carolina 27513, at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: FAMU College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities: https://my.famu.edu/sslpage.aspx?pid=597