Frank Carl Williams

Frank Carl Williams was born on September 28, 1963, to Robert Lee Williams and Leola Williams in Chicago. He passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024, at home in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by his family who loved him deeply.

Frank grew up in Chicago and attended Douglas Elementary Community Academy and Wendell Phillips Academy High School, the oldest Black high school in the city of Chicago. He lived in Omaha for 28 years. 

He was a sought-after restaurant chef and caterer. He worked at several hotels, including the Marriott in Austin, Texas. He also worked as the head cook at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin.

 Cooking became his passion. He loved to whip up dishes while entertaining his family and friends. His soul food specialties included turkey with stuffing, collard, turnips and mustard greens, sweet potato, catfish with homemade potato fries, baked beans and fried cornbread. And when it came to the grill, he could do it all -- ribs, chicken, steak, hot dogs, you name it. He was certainly “the Grill Master/Barbecue King.”

He was a huge sports fan. He loved football and basketball. He trained dogs and playing dominoes and shooting pool were among his favorite pastimes.

Frank was also a huge R&B fan. His favorite artists included Teena Marie, The Dells, Luther Vandross, The Stylistics and Al Green. He sometimes took to Chicago’s stepping scene to show off his smooth dance moves. 

Frank is the father of two beautiful daughters, Jasma and Laticea. His life experiences were lessons for his children. He instilled in them the importance of taking care of family, to be self-sufficient and have a great sense of humor. 

He was intentional with his teaching to his daughters and six grandchildren. He taught his grandsons about money and how to earn it. That’s why he started Paw Paw Frank and Grandsons Lawn Mowing Company. “I want to show them how to earn money and how to save it,” he once said. The company was an immediate success, and the boys took great pride in their work. His many teachings will live on for generations to come.

Frank had a relationship with the Lord. He was a praying man and understood the power of prayer. On a recent morning, even as his health was declining, a friend exclaimed, “God is good, Frank.” He responded, “All the time. God is good.”

He is survived by daughters, Jasma Shatona Williams Johnson (Junian) and Laticea (“Little Hundo”) Senea Williams Sheared (Terrance); grandchildren, J’mareion Terrell Williams, Jeremiah Glynn Williams, Jessiah Joseph Williams, Terrance Joseph Sheared, Lawson Cole Sheared and Lauren Ashley Sheared; siblings, Roland Williams, Rodney Williams, Rosalind Williams and Ralph Williams; uncles, Larry Seay and Leo Seay; aunts, Annibell Watson and Sezzie Dixon; a host of nephews and nieces and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents, Leola Williams and Robert Lee Williams and brothers, Robert Lee Williams Jr., Raymond Williams and Ronald Williams.