Sacramento Mourns Loss Of Spiritual Leader Dr. Ephraim Williams

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff WriterSacramento’s faith-based community is mourning the loss of a “spiritual giant.”Dr. Ephraim Williams, pastor emeritus of Sacramento’s St. Paul Church, passed away Nov. 9 at age 91.Dr. Williams, a native of Summit, Mississippi, took the helm of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in 1971. He grew the Oak Park area sanctuary into one of the largest and most respected in the Sacramento region. Dr. Williams saw the church and the surrounding neighborhood through change and challenges. He was known as a community builder, maintaining relationships with other area leaders as they sought to improve the quality of life for their citizens.Daniel Hahn, who grew up in Oak Park and served as the city’s first Black police chief, said he’ll miss the counsel, comfort and accountability Dr. Williams always gave freely.“Pastor Williams is a true Sacramento icon, selfless servant and a blessing to our Sacramento community,” Hahn said.“Pastor Williams had a special gift of listening and was always a comforting person to confide in during challenging times. He was a man of principle that could not be shaken, no matter the conflict.”Sacramento’s first Black mayor, Kevin Johnson, also grew up in Oak Park and...