OUR STORY

About Williams Funeral Home

Williams Funeral Home was established in Camden, Arkansas in February 1941, by Benjamin Williams (1896-1989), an Arkadelphia native. The Williams Burial Association was also established at that time.


Williams Funeral Home expanded to Fordyce, Prescott, and Arkadelphia in 1950. Fraulene Williams Rogers, the daughter of Benjamin Williams and owner of Williams Funeral Home in Camden, as well as, Eternal Rest Cemetery and the Williams Burial Association passed November 18, 2019. 


Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia and Prescott served as satellites for the main branch in Camden. Jimmy Lee Williams, the uncle of Benjamin Williams, operated the Arkadelphia home until 1972. Currently, Williams Funeral Home, LLC in Arkadelphia and its branch location Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden Arkansas are still owned by the Williams family.

Williams Funeral Home was established in Camden, Arkansas in February 1941, by Benjamin Williams (1896-1989), an Arkadelphia native. The Williams Burial Association was also established at that time. Williams Funeral Home expanded to Fordyce, Prescott, and Arkadelphia in 1950. Fraulene Williams Rogers, the daughter of Benjamin Williams and owner of Williams Funeral Home in Camden, as well as, Eternal Rest Cemetery and the Williams Burial Association passed November 18, 2019. 


Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia and Prescott served as satellites for the main branch in Camden. Jimmy Lee Williams, the uncle of the of Benjamin Williams, operated the Arkadelphia home until 1972. Currently, Williams Funeral Home, LLC in Arkadelphia and it's branch location Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden Arkansas are still owned within the Williams family.

Williams Funeral Home was established in Camden, Arkansas in February 1941, by Benjamin Williams (1896-1989), an Arkadelphia native. The Williams Burial Association was also established at that time. Williams Funeral Home expanded to Fordyce, Prescott, and Arkadelphia in 1950. Fraulene Williams Rogers, the daughter of Benjamin Williams and owner of Williams Funeral Home in Camden, as well as, Eternal Rest Cemetery and the Williams Burial Association passed November 18, 2019. 


Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia and Prescott served as satellites for the main branch in Camden. Jimmy Lee Williams, the uncle of Benjamin Williams, operated the Arkadelphia home until 1972. Currently, Williams Funeral Home, LLC in Arkadelphia and it's branch location Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden Arkansas are still owned within the Williams family.

James Louis Williams had never planned to be in the funeral business, but after the death of his uncle Jimmy Lee Williams in 1977, he agreed to temporarily help Ben keep the business open until he found a replacement.


It was during that same year that James became the first African-American member of the Arkadelphia Board of Directors and the city's first black mayor. Ben never found a replacement and in 1983, James bought the business. During his ownership, Mr. Williams renovated the facility and added the preparation room for embalming, since this work was previously done in Camden. The wood frame building was enhanced with brick/siding.


Mr. Williams spear-headed the first community service project for Williams Funeral Home by sponsoring an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community in Feaster Park. After much thought and persuasion, Mr. Williams implemented DVD's and added internet access.

In 2002, Roland L. Gosey, his great-nephew joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home. When James' health begin to fail, it was then that he decided to afford Roland an opportunity to carry on the family business by selling him his interest in the business. Mr. Williams died in 2005.

James Louis Williams had never planned to be in funeral business, but after the death of his uncle Jimmy Lee Williams in 1977, he agreed to temporarily help Ben keep the business open until he found a replacement.


It was during that same year that James became the first African-American member of the Arkadelphia Board of Directors and the city's first black mayor.Ben never found a replacement and in 1983, James bought the business. During his ownership, Mr. Williams renovated the facility and added the preparation room for embalming, since this work was previously done in Camden. The wood frame building was enchanced with brick/siding.


Mr. Williams spear-headed the first community service project for Williams Funeral Home by sponsoring an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community in Feaster Park. After much thought and persuasion, Mr. Williams implemented dvd's and added internet access.


In 2002, Roland L. Gosey, his great-nephew joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home. When James health begin to fail, it was then that he decided to afford Roland an opportuniy to carry on the family business by selling him his interest in the business. Mr. Williams died in 2005.

James Louis Williams had never planned to be in funeral business, but after the death of his uncle Jimmy Lee Williams in 1977, he agreed to temporarily help Ben keep the business open until he found a replacement.


It was during that same year that James became the first African-American member of the Arkadelphia Board of Directors and the city's first black mayor. Ben never found a replacement and in 1983, James bought the business. During his ownership, Mr. Williams renovated the facility and added the preparation room for embalming, since this work was previously done in Camden. The wood frame building was enhanced with brick/siding.

Mr. Williams spear-headed the first community service project for Williams Funeral Home by sponsoring an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community in Feaster Park. After much thought and persuasion, Mr. Williams implemented dvd's and added internet access.

In 2002, Roland L. Gosey, his great-nephew joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home. When James health begin to fail, it was then that he decided to afford Roland an opportunity to carry on the family business by selling him his interest in the business. Mr. Williams died in 2005.

On March 11, 2019, at 3:15 a.m. Williams Funeral Home burned and a new facility was opened to the community in August 2021.

Williams Funeral Home is an attractive structure with a comfortable atmosphere for family and friends to say farewell to their loved ones. It is important that this facility makes everyone feel comfortable and at ease while providing an appearance and atmosphere that reflects class, professionalism, and care.


The comfortable, inviting aesthetics of Williams Funeral Home incorporate some of the most modern features from internet access to monitor displays. The portico is not only a beautiful addition but aids in protecting our guests from inclement weather. This facility has been richly appointed with lighting, colors, and fabrics as part of the reverence felt for all funerals. Handicapped accessibility is available for the convenience of those who need such assistance.


Here at Williams Funeral Home, it is the belief that a funeral reaffirms the value of life, and when you honor a life it should be done with the highest respect. The new facility is a direct reflection of the establishment’s commitment to meeting the unique needs of the families served. Every service is approached with quality care and specific attention to detail. The respectful and understanding staff of caring professionals is uniquely qualified to assist through the arrangement process.


The staff takes pride in providing superior service and pledge their total commitment and your complete satisfaction. The hallmark is excellence; it's the core ingredient of everything done. As a result, the highest ethical standards, obedience to all laws, recognition and adherence to local customs are maintained.


Accommodations to all families regardless of social or financial standing, religion, or ethnicity. It is this standard of excellence that makes Williams Funeral Home the preferred choice for many families in Arkadelphia and the surrounding areas.

It is a privilege and an honor to serve Arkadelphia and the surrounding communities in this regard.

 

Roland L. Gosey   Owner & Operator                                                                                               

Williams Funeral Home, LLC.

Roland L. Gosey joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home in 2002. As the health of his great-uncle began to decline he continued on as Funeral Director/Embalmer and Assistant Manager.

However, March of 2005 brought about a new change and many challenges. With one-year and two months of experience, Roland L. Gosey became co-owner of Williams Funeral Home and has managed to keep alive and re-generate the rich and vibrant legacy of Williams Funeral Home. Mr. Williams homegoing was in April 2005. On November 26, 2008, Roland became the sole owner and president of Williams Funeral Home, Inc.



An extensive interior and exterior overhaul of the funeral home was started. The flat screen display concept was added to enhance the Images of Life DVD productions; the funeral home started the production of custom funeral programs; the "We Care" Plus Pre-Arranged Service was established; an aggressive communication process was implemented with internet capabilities used to notify individuals over the country of a death in the community serviced by Williams Funeral Home; the acceptance of credit cards become another method of payment, and the web-site used to further share the Williams Funeral Home legacy and continued services. On June 11, 2010, Williams Funeral Home opened a branch funeral home in Prescott, Arkansas and a branch location, Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden, Arkansas in 2017.

Williams Funeral Home has been a trailblazer in the state of Arkansas with its personalized and innovative life celebrations. With its reputation for service-driven professionalism Williams Funeral Home is known throughout the state and particularly the southwest region of Arkansas.

Roland L. Gosey joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home in 2002. As the health of his great-uncle began to decline he continued on as Funeral Director/Embalmer and Assistant Manager.


However, March of 2005 brought about a new change and many challenges. With one-year and two months experience, Roland L. Gosey became co-owner of Williams Funeral Home and has managed to keep alive and re-generate the rich and vibrant legacy of Williams Funeral Home. Mr. Williams home going was in April 2005. On November 26, 2008, Roland became sole owner and president of Williams Funeral Home, Inc.


An extensive interior and exterior overhaul of the funeral home was started. The flat screen display concept was added to enhance the Images of Life DVD productions; the funeral home started the production of custom funeral programs; the "We Care" Plus Pre-Arranged Service was established; an aggressive communication process was implemented with internet capabilities used to notify individuals over the country of a death in the community serviced by Williams Funeral Home; the acceptance of credit cards become another method of payment, and the web-site used to further share the Williams Funeral Home legacy and continued services. On June 11, 2010, Williams Funeral Home opened a branch funeral home in Prescott, Arkansas and a branch location, Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden, Arkansas in 2017.


Williams Funeral Home has been a trailblazer in the state of Arkansas with its personalized and innovative life celebrations. With its reputation for service driven professionalism Williams Funeral Home is known throughout the state and particularly the southwest region of Arkansas.

Roland L. Gosey joined the staff of Williams Funeral Home in 2002. As the health of his great-uncle began to decline he continued on as Funeral Director/Embalmer and Assistant Manager.

However, March of 2005 brought about a new change and many challenges. With one-year and two months experience, Roland L. Gosey became co-owner of Williams Funeral Home and has managed to keep alive and re-generate the rich and vibrant legacy of Williams Funeral Home. Mr. Williams home going was in April 2005. On November 26, 2008, Roland became sole owner and president of Williams Funeral Home, Inc.


An extensive interior and exterior overhaul of the funeral home was started. The flat screen display concept was added to enhance the Images of Life DVD productions; the funeral home started the production of custom funeral programs; the "We Care" Plus Pre-Arranged Service was established; an aggressive communication process was implemented with internet capabilities used to notify individuals over the country of a death in the community serviced by Williams Funeral Home; the acceptance of credit cards become another method of payment, and the web-site used to further share the Williams Funeral Home legacy and continued services. On June 11, 2010, Williams Funeral Home opened a branch funeral home in Prescott, Arkansas and a branch location, Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden, Arkansas in 2017.

Williams Funeral Home has been a trailblazer in the state of Arkansas with its personalized and innovative life celebrations. With its reputation for service driven professionalism Williams Funeral Home is known throughout the state and particularly the southwest region of Arkansas.

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