Remembering Rev. Ephraim Williams

By OBSERVER NewsroomThe funeral services for Rev. Ephraim Williams, a beloved community leader and Pastor Emeritus, were held at Saint Paul Church of Sacramento on December 4. The ceremony, officiated by Pastor Kenneth R. Reece, was attended by more than 2,000 people made up of family, friends, and community members who gathered to honor his life and legacy.Remarks were made by notable figures such as Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Dr. Margaret Fortune, President/CEO of Fortune School and a host of faith leaders — all of whom looked up to Rev. Williams as a mentor and leader.Rev. Ephraim Williams’ robe sits in the pulpit as choir members and clergy surround it during his funeral service. Louis Bryant III, OBSERVERMemorable remarks during the celebration were made by longtime Saint Paul executive pastor Lamont Harris and former Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. Harris, who worked alongside Rev. Williams for nearly 40 years, spoke passionately about how Rev. Williams was a patriarchal pastor to thousands of people in Sacramento.“I suspect that if I was to ask if anybody would like to come down and share your experience (with Rev. Williams) … people would run over each other to get to the front,” Harris said.& Longtime...