Melvin Ralph “Bull” Williams, 78, of McComb, died Oct. 6, 2010,at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia. He was born April 4,1932, in Amite County. He was the son of John W. and Leona ChisholmWilliams.

He was retired from BellSouth/AT&T after 30 years service.After retirement, he began working in the communications departmentwith the University of Mississippi Medical Center and retired thereafter 10 years. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers ofAmerica and throughout his career and retirement he volunteered formany service projects. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Mr. Williams served as a dedicated board member for St. AndrewsMission in McComb since 1999. During his tenure, he served aspresident on several occasions. In 2008, he was honored for hismany years of dedicated service to the mission.

He was a compassionate person and always had a willingness to helpothers. One example of his generosity was his constant donations ofhis homegrown vegetables to the St. Andrews Mission SoupKitchen.

Mr. Williams is preceded in death by his parents; and threesisters, Wanza Gordon, Jessie Shivor and Ethel Lofton.

He is survived by his daughter, Melanie Diane Williams, of McComb;two sons and a daughter-in-law, Maxie Williams, of Gulfport, andRalph and Kay Williams, of Brookhaven; two brothers, John W.Williams, of Natchez, and Clemon Williams, of Gulfport; one sister,Margaret Long, of Beaumont, Texas; four grandchildren, MeganWilliams, Hope Williams, Grace Williams and Eli Williams, all ofBrookhaven; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Friday at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb from5 until 8 p.m. and continues Saturday at First Christian Church inMcComb from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. with Rev. Donald Dickofficiating. Burial will be in Hollywood cemetery.

The family requests memorials be sent to St. Andrews Mission, P.O.Box 1407, McComb, MS 39649.

To share condolences, visit www.hartman-sharkeyfuneralhome.com.