Mr. Wilbert Benjamin Williams

Wilbert Benjamin Williams was 92 years old, born in Saint Louis, Missouri, on November 30th, 1932. He passed away on September 18, 2025.

Wilbert, mostly referred to as Ben (short for Benjamin, his middle name) was born to the late parents of Andy and Catherine Williams. His mother, Catherine, whom we lovingly referred to as Kate, passed away. Ben’s father, Andy, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he established roots in Missouri and early on met Catherine in Saint Louis, Missouri.

This unity gave birth to Wilbert Benjamin Williams-Ben. Even though not all of Ben’s siblings were known to us, Ben did establish a bond with his very close brother, Norman Williams, who preceded him in death several years before.

Wilbert graduated from Vashon High School in Saint Louis, Missouri. His passions were English and Math. Later, he met Erma Jean White in 1950 and asked for her hand in marriage. This matrimonial unity later produced four amazing children. Three girls and one son: Linda Williams, Jean Williams, Bennett Williams, and Charles Williams. Wilbert was an active member of First Baptist Church of Elmwood Park, Saint Louis, Missouri.

Wilbert-Ben showed a promising interest in the culinary arts. From this passion, Ben pursued and graduated with a degree as a culinary Chef. Ben soon become a wellsought- after chef in the Saint Louis area. His soulful, passionate cooking made an impact in the lives of his family, community, and several well-known affluent restaurants from the North side, South side, and the County Suburbs of Saint Louis. There was not a family member from miles around that turned down an invite for a gathering at Ben and Erma’s loving home for a chance to eat the meals he prepared.

Ben went further with his skills as an entrepreneur, he created a catering service that was very successful. He ventured into creating juicing healthy drinks for restaurants and started to create cookbooks with the inspiration to publish. His writing skills flourished into a very productive and promising hobby, and soon he began writing poetry.

Ben’s pen name that he signed was, ‘Windy Blue”. Ben wrote many poems and was motivated and inspired by a 12th-century Persian poet by the name of, “Omar Khayy’am.”

Wilbert Benjamin Williams lived a full life. He showed love and compassion to all his grandchildren and great-grandkids and was blessed to share even more love to his great-great-grandkids. Ben was always dependable to his grandchildren and always made himself available to help out any one of them.

Wilbert Benjamin Williams, who will be forever in our hearts, is preceded by the following: His cherished wife, Erma Jean White Poe, who preceded him in death on February 22nd, 2019. His loving daughter, Wilma Bennett Garland, who preceded him in death on December 1st, 1999. His loving daughter, Norma Jean Dinkins, who preceded him in death on September 27th, 2021:

Wilbert still passes on his legacy to his surviving children: Linda Marie Boyd, who lives in Texas, and his son Charles Henry Williams, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ben’s children with Erma continue the bloodline of the following Grandchildren listed chronologically from his 1st born. Grandkids: Melonie Williams (Baker), Courtney Dinkins, Monette Williams, Shindel! (Phoebe) Dinkins-Cross, Robert (Ossie) Dinkins, Isaac Garland, Esgaleta M. Garland (Pure R. AlaEarth), DeNita Perkins, and Charles (Chuck) Williams. Great Grandkids: JaRon Steele, Nevaeh Dinkins, Essence Dinkins, Isaiah Dinkins, Karae Dinkins, Talia Dinkins, ShaKita Williams, Ernest Williams 111., Tayshon Garland, Jordyn Garland, Lovemagnifient Allah, Na’im Allah, Paradise Earth, Janai Burns, Aminah Perkins Great GREAT Grandkids: Total in number as of date (8)

Wilbert Benjamin Williams, a.k.a. Grandpa Ben, we love you, have always loved you, and will continue to remember you in love, AMEN