Duke Lansford Williams, 68, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022 at Javon Bea Hospital. Born May 2, 1954, in Belvidere, IL, the son of Harold A. and Ethel L. (Thornton) Williams. Duke was a graduate of Belvidere High School and became a machinist working at W.A. Whitney Company in Rockford, IL. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Duke is survived by his mother, Ethel Williams; siblings, Barbara (Michael) Webster, Dorothy Nwaoha, Direse Goodwin, Glendalen (Ernest) Beard, Wanda Buchanan, Ranual Williams, Zakeron (Jody) Williams, Nattanld (Sheila) Williams and Tenecia Williams; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Harold Williams; brothers, Oliver Williams and Januie Williams; and sister Fillesha Williams.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to every family member and friend for the many prayers and acts of kindness that we received during this time.

Please take comfort knowing:
“And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more neither will mourning nor outcry no pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28,29

A Mother’s hope for her son
I will truly miss my dear son Duke. Looking back, it was not easy to see you in so much pain for such a long time. It is a relief to know that you are no longer suffering anymore. I know that everything did not always work out as you planned but you did the best you could. Now that you have fallen asleep in death my hope for you now is in Jehovah God’s promise of a paradise earth where there will be no suffering. Jesus said at John 5:28,29 (“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life and those who practiced vile things to resurrection of judgment”) So, my prayer for you this “may Jehovah God allow you to live again in his promised paradise. Where you can learn his way and live forever. This is my prayer and hope for all my children to listen to God through his word the Bible and learn from Him so I will see you in paradise here on earth.
With Love,
Your mother Ethel L. Williams

Private family services were held. Memorials may be made to his mother Ethel. To send a condolence or share a memory, visit olsonfh.com.