Robert Clarence "Chops" Williams Jr.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

Robert Clarence “Chops” Williams Jr. peacefully entered eternal rest on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the age of 79. Born on June 20, 1947, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to the late Robert Clarence Williams Sr. and Elizabeth Walker Williams, he lived a life defined by faith, service, leadership, compassion, and an unwavering love for family and community.

A proud graduate of Valena C. Jones High School, Class of 1967, Robert earned a basketball scholarship to Prentiss Junior College before continuing his education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jefferson Davis Campus, where he earned a diploma in Carpentry.

In 1981, he began his law enforcement career with the Bay St. Louis Police Department. Through years of dedicated service, he rose to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. He later dedicated more than 31 years of service to Stennis Space Center, serving as a Supervisor and Chief Storekeeper with Abacus Technology. Throughout his career, he was respected for his integrity, leadership, and unwavering work ethic.

Although Robert was dedicated to his profession, his greatest calling was serving people. As the second oldest child, he helped raise and guide many of his younger siblings, becoming a protector, mentor, and father figure. His love for others extended beyond his family as he opened his heart to neighborhood children and generations of young people he coached and mentored.

In 1988, he, along with close friends and dedicated volunteers, founded the Bay Youth Basketball League, where he served as founder, director, coach, referee, mentor, and role model. His dedication to young people also extended to Little League football, where he served as a coach and continued pouring into the youth of his community. Through years of coaching and mentorship, he impacted hundreds of young people throughout Hancock County, teaching discipline, teamwork, respect, confidence, and perseverance. Affectionately known as “Coach Chops,” he became a trusted mentor and father figure to countless young people.

Robert also faithfully served as Youth Choir Director at St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church, helping young people grow in their faith. His lifelong dedication to his church and community earned him numerous honors, including recognition as an Outstanding Community Leader and an NAACP Community Service Award. He never met a stranger. He welcomed everyone with a warm smile, a humble spirit, and a generous heart. As a supervisor, he led with fairness, integrity, and genuine care, earning the respect and admiration of those he led. Outside of work, he loved spending time with family and friends, enjoyed hunting, especially loved fishing, and was known as an exceptional swing dancer whose joyful spirit lit up every room.

He was first united in marriage to his beloved Mary Ann Williams, whom he loved dearly. Together, they shared a life filled with love and cherished memories until her passing. Life later blessed him with finding love again when he married Carole Labat Williams. Together, they shared many wonderful years of love, companionship, and happiness. Carole remained his devoted wife and faithful companion, lovingly by his side until his very last breath.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Clarence Williams Sr. and Elizabeth Walker Williams; his beloved first wife, Mary Ann Williams; and his siblings, Wilma Kelly, Peggy Williams, Barbara Williams Gillum, Renita Williams, Eugene Williams, Michael Williams, Ronald Williams, and Aloysius Williams.

Robert leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving wife, Carole Labat Williams; his daughter, Twanna Wilkerson (Cedric) of Picayune, Mississippi; his honorary children, Winfred and Lisa Rials of Pass Christian, Mississippi, whom he loved as his own; his beloved grandchildren, Terrica Jackson (Alex) of Virginia, Robert Clarence Williams III of Gulfport, Mississippi, Fredrick Davis and Kiesten Davis, both of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Shaniia Lee of Pass Christian, Mississippi, and Jamari Rials of Pass Christian, Mississippi; and his treasured great-grandchildren, Chaise Williams, Skylar Jackson, Alex Jackson, and Avery Jackson.

He is also survived by his siblings: Parthenia (Walter) Young of Waveland, Mississippi; JoAnn (Dave) Williams Fisher of Los Angeles, California; Julie Williams of Los Angeles, California; Augustine Clark (Charles) of Tallahassee, Florida; Marceleste Williams of Houston, Texas; Roslyn Williams Earl (John) of Houston, Texas; Robin Tracy (Kareem) of Atlanta, Georgia; Bruce Williams (Peggy) Sr. of Los Angeles, California; Albert Williams of Los Angeles, California; Timothy Williams (Tiyisha) of Douglasville, Georgia; Roger Williams (Christine) of Slidell, Louisiana, and Welis Lewis (Delisa) of Greenville, SC.

He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love.

Robert’s legacy cannot be measured by titles or awards, but by the lives he touched, the children he encouraged, the family he loved, and the countless people who were blessed to know him.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11:00 am, at St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church. Visitation will start at 10:00 am.

Infinity Funeral Home extends our condolences to the family of Robert Williams Jr. For inquiries, call 228-436-6722.