Robert L. Williams, Sr. is the eldest of five siblings born to Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Williams and State Mother Neerma Williams. Their strong spiritual home brought Robert to God at an early age. When his father was called to the ministry, young Robert was charged with reading the bible to his father. From 4th to 7th grade he would regularly read the Bible to his father until finally he had learned to read for himself. This laid the foundation for his own walk with God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 “remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth” was manifested in his life.

Having received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in his junior year at Morehouse College, the call to ministry was accelerated:

• Participated in the “Behold the Man” play at the Atlanta Station
• Appointed to the Deacon Board
• Served as Youth Sunday School Teacher
• Served as church custodian, yard man, and van driver
• Served as Praise Leader/choir member

In 1968, the Lord started influencing young Brother Williams towards the ministry. First, he was ordained as a Deacon and would readily visit the sick, nursing homes, and even did prison ministry. With a strong passion to do that which was pleasing to God he accepted the call to preach the word. In 1973, he was ordained as an Elder and later appointed Assistant Pastor to his father. In the General Assembly’s Executive Board meeting of 1982 his father Bishop Robert N. Williams, asked Elder Williams to serve as Pastor of the Straight Life Church of God Pentecostal, Inc.

He began Pasturing in January 1983. As Pastor, Elder Williams immediately began to demonstrate that he was a visionary:

• He facilitated the enlargement of the church at 1970 Velma Dr., Atlanta, GA
• He had the parking lot paved
• He purchased an organ and drum-set
• He added paid musicians
• He was ordained as General Overseer
• He purchased three new worship facilities in Decatur, Cordele, and Griffin

In 2002, Elder Williams was informed by his father Bishop Robert N. Williams that he would retire from Office as Bishop of the Straight Life Church of God Pentecostal, Inc. and enjoy the “fruits of his labor.” The transition was made during the General Assembly of 2002 when the assembly voted to accept Pastor/Overseer Robert L. Williams, Sr. as the NEW Bishop of the Straight Life Church of God Pentecostal, Inc.

In 2011, while under a heavy anointing of the Holy Ghost, Bishop Robert L. Williams, Sr. experienced an open vision of the Apostolic Council gathered around the Lord’s Table and felt the “tugging” of the Lord to join the Council. His response was AMEN to a “Higher Calling” and a time of elevation.

Biographical Highlights:

• Married high school sweetheart Patricia Gail Kimpson on August 11, 1969
• To their union, they were blessed with two children (Robert L. Williams, Jr. and Kimberly Gail Williams), one daughter-n-law (Tandra Williams) and two grandchildren (Robert L. Williams, III and Angel Williams)
• Received academic and athletic scholarships to Morehouse College
• Featured in Jet magazine with the top 5% of black male students in Atlanta in 1965
• Scored the winning touchdown in the 1965 East-West All-Star football game
• Made the All-Conference football team at Morehouse in 1968 and 1969
• Name President of the DeKalb County Schools Basketball Tip-off Club from 1982-1984
• The first to start the Thanksgiving basketball tournaments for DeKalb County Schools in November 1982
• Named the first black male Head Coach at Avondale High School in 1979 as the track coach
• Served as Assistant Principal at Clarkston High School, Chamblee High School, Lithonia High School (all in DeKalb County School District) and Bethune Elementary (in Fulton County School District)
• Served as Principal at Columbia High School, McNair High School (both in DeKalb County School District) and Banneker High School (Fulton County School District)

Bishop Robert L. Williams, Sr. has supplemented his strength and maturity in Christ with a strong academic background:

• Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Physical Education from Morehouse College in 1970
• Master’s Degree in Education from Georgia State University in 1986
• Specialist Degree in Supervision and Administration from Jacksonville State University in 1992