Dr. Joseph Watson Williams, MD

Dr. Joseph Watson Williams was born December 27, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was the youngest of three sons born to the late Dr. Edward B. Williams and the late Beatrice McGhee Williams. Joseph accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church.  Joseph received his primary education at Oglethorpe Elementary School. He participated in youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. where his mother became a charter member of the Atlanta Chapter in 1951.  In 1961, Joseph graduated from Henry McNeil Turner High School as the class salutatorian.  Later that year Joseph entered Morehouse College at the age of sixteen.  While attending Morehouse, he was initiated into the Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., December 17, 1962.  Joseph received a Bachelor of Science degree from Morehouse College in 1965 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Meharry Medical College in 1969.

In 1966 Joseph married Sharon Knuckles and to this union three children were born, Joron Renee, Kevin Buchanan and Brandon Charles (deceased).

Joseph completed his internal medicine residency training at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital; an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio from 1969 to 1973.  While in training, Joseph was accepted into the Berry Program which allowed him to continue his residency without potential interruption due to the ongoing Vietnam War.  Upon completion of his residency, Joseph achieved Board Certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, becoming one of the first African American board certified internists in the state of Georgia.  He then entered the United States Army as a Major serving as a physician in the medical corps.  He was stationed at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, Georgia from 1973 to 1975.  After completing his military service, Joseph returned to Atlanta and embarked upon his career in private medical practice.

In 1979, Joseph entered into a partnership with Dr. Benjamin E. Woods and the two of them established Atlanta Internal Medicine.  In 1980, these ambitious, young physicians expanded their practice by opening an additional office in Newnan, Georgia thus becoming the first African American physicians to be granted admitting privileges to what were then Newnan Hospital and Coweta General Hospital.  During his thirty-eight years of medical practice, Joseph served in the capacity of medical director for Imperial Nursing Home, Parkview Nursing Home, Atlanta Pre-trial Detention Center, Southwest Community Hospital Emergency Services, Total Life Care, Fulton County Jail, Embracing Hospice, and Staff Builders Home Health Agency.  He also served as the Southeast Regional Assistant Medical Director and Consultant for XL Health Corporation, now known as Care Improvement Plus, a subsidiary of United Health Corporation from 2006 to 2013.  Joseph was proud to serve as the Morehouse College Medical Director and team physician for the Maroon Tigers from 1992 to 2013.

He received several awards and recognitions throughout his medical training and illustrious career as a physician.  Among them are the Lange Medical Publication Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Medical Student (1969), Georgia State Medical Association Award for Meritorious Service (1980), Atlanta Medical Association Award for Meritorious Service (1995), and Morehouse College Alumnus of the Year (2004).

In 1994, Joseph began a romantic courtship with his soul mate Carmen Rodriguez.  They later married in December 2004.  Carmen and Joseph enjoyed traveling, dancing, listening to old school, jazz and salsa music.  They especially enjoyed attending annual Atlanta Guardsmen events.  Joseph loved Latin culture and especially enjoyed eating his mother-in-law's authentic Puerto Rican dishes.

Despite his hectic schedule, "Joe" as he was affectionately known by his family and friends always found time to spend with his children and grandchildren, never missing a significant event in their lives.  He shared his experiences with them by recounting numerous stories of his life growing up in the city he loved.  One of his favorite sayings was, "Atlanta born, Atlanta bred, when I die I'll be Atlanta dead!"  He also instilled a love of sports, competition and achievement in his children that they will carry on for generations to come.  He was an avid fan of the Falcons, Braves and Maroon Tigers and was not shy about voicing his displeasure when their play was not up to par.  Joe was a natural storyteller and jokester.  He knew how to "fill up a room" with his booming voice and hearty laughter.  Joe was considered to be a brilliant diagnostician by his colleagues.  He approached complicated cases like his favorite detective Columbo; relentlessly searching for the root cause of his patients' illnesses and developing the most effective plan of care for them.  He was a primary care physician who listened to his patients and worked tirelessly to give them the best care possible.

Dr. Joseph Watson Williams was preceded in death by his son Brandon.  He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Carmen Williams; daughter Joron Williams Murry (Chaplain Eduardo), son Dr. Kevin B. Williams (Dr. Shamita); grandchildren Eryn R. Gilstrap, Dakarai B. Williams, Maddox Joseph Murry, Stephaine Murry, Aundreas Murry, Kiara Murry, Kendall Murry; brothers Dr. Edward M. Williams (Shirley) and Robert M. Williams; a beloved aunt, Cecelia McGhee; mother-in-law Julia Diaz-Rodriguez; brothers in-law Pedro Miranda, Manuel Miranda, George Miranda, Charles Knuckles, Jr., Frederick Rakes; sister-in-law Donna Knuckles Rakes; Sharon Knuckles Williams; nephews, nieces, cousins and many dear friends.

The Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Joseph Watson Williams will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 1:00PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 437 Mitchell Street, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Dr. Charles Washington, officiating with Reverend Dr. William V. Guy, Eulogist. Interment, Westview Cemetery. His remains will be placed in state at the church at 12:00Noon. The Omega Memorial Service held by the Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and family visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 7:00PM at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel on the Campus of Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia.

All Services Are Open To The Public.