In the beginning, Archie and Mary Lou Williams were united in Norfolk County, Virginia.  From that union seventeen children were born, which included 5 sets of twins – Claude Williams (twin) and Lloyd Williams (twin), Nicola Williams-Elliott, Eula Williams-Moore, Thelma Williams-Earl, Estelle Williams-Parker (twin) and Lucy Williams-Coleman (twin), Leroy Williams, Gladys Williams-Wright, Johnnie Williams (twin) and Charlie Williams (twin), Marie Williams-Lamb, Rebecca Williams-Alexander, Archie Williams (twin) and Rosa Lee Williams (twin), Elizabeth Williams (twin) and Mary Williams (twin).

Many years later in 1967, the Williams sisters came together and decided to have a family gathering in Portsmouth, Virginia which would include the Williams brothers and sisters and their children.  Witnessing the love, joy, affection and fun that was experienced by all, the sisters took it upon themselves to allow the gatherings to evolve into an annual family tradition. The Williams Family Reunion is now a staple within our family, occurring the 4th weekend of every July.  

We believe it was the prayer of the brothers and sisters to establish a time of the year where the Williams Family would gather together to celebrate the ‘‘value of family” and to honor God for “Bringing Us This Far by Faith.”

The tradition continues to this day as “A Link to our Past and is a Bridge to our Future!”

Introduction by: Troy Copeland-Fitzpatrick