“I had to overcome a few hurdles before I could teach others about God,” Williams notes. “The biggest one of which was fear of speaking in public.” Today he delights in spreading the love of his religion among his congregants
Lucius, a stalwart member of the Weequahic basketball team, stopped playing the game at age 50 and has since even resisted watching it as a spectator. “I become too emotionally affected and find it difficult to contain my excitement.”
Pastor Williams, as his congregants affectionately call him, is married to Patricia, a former Psychology Professor at Essex County Community College. Patricia is currently a coordinator and advisor on Christian Education for the National Baptist State Association. The couple has a daughter named Desireé who has blessed them with a granddaughter, Denajé.
“God has truly blessed me,” Lucius is fond of reminding. “I suffered a major heart attack in 2002 and am now fully recovered.” So fully has he recovered that he now spends three mornings each week at a fitness center in Springfield.
Upon completing of his exercise routine, Lucius turns his attention to the Crossroads of Life Christian Store on Maple Avenue in Hillside, within view of Beth Israel Hospital. The store has been serving the Newark/Hillside area for the past 30 years, and was established when Lucius recognized that the community lacked a source for Christian educational materials. Today, the Crossroads of Life overflows with books, CD’s, videos, Sunday School materials and beautiful silky robes for ministers and choirs in which to sing their praises and thanks.
“The Hillside police would stop us at the Newark/Hillside border when we were teens,” recalls Pastor Williams. “Today, my wife and I have a business and own several real estate properties in town.” Some things may have changed, but Lucius Williams’ contagious smile and effervescent personality have remained in tact. Lucius’ e-mail address is pgw1567@aol.com.
