Eric André Williams, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, departed this life on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the age of 63. Born on September 17, 1963, in Colleton County (Walterboro), South Carolina, to the late Rossie Lee and Ruthie Mae Williams, Eric lived a life marked by faith, hard work, creativity, and extraordinary generosity. He had a heart of gold—and those who experienced his love will forever carry something precious because of him.
Eric loved the Lord, and that love shaped how he lived and cared for others. He joined Deep Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Islandton, South Carolina, and was baptized at an early age. As education and employment took him to new communities, he continued to make Church a part of his life. He attended Springfield Baptist Church in Covington, GA where Rev. Dr. Eric W. Lee, Sr. is pastor. His faith could be seen in his willingness to help, his compassion for others, and the generosity with which he shared what he had. Eric made himself someone people could depend upon. His presence brought comfort, his friendship brought joy, and his giving spirit reminded those around him that they mattered.
Eric married the former Rosalyn Jacobs of St. Matthews, South Carolina. When breast cancer claimed his beloved wife more than 20 years ago, he faced the heartbreaking responsibility of raising their young daughters while carrying his own grief. With faith, determination, and tenderness, he continued to provide, protect, encourage, and love them day-by-day and year-by-year. Eric showed his daughters what steadfast love looked like. Those little girls grew into remarkable young women, carrying the strength and assurance their father worked so hard to give them. Their lives stand among his greatest accomplishments. Long after his professional achievements are remembered, the love he poured into his family will continue through generations.
A man of many talents, Eric combined an engineer’s ability to solve problems with an artist’s creativity. He graduated from Wade Hampton High School in Varnville, South Carolina, in 1980, a year early. He earned an Associate Degree in Industrial Engineering from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and a diploma in Cosmetology from DeKalb Technical College in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. His education reflected his versatility and belief in developing the gifts God had given him.
Eric possessed a rare gift: he understood both the intricacies of machinery and the people whose hands brought it to life. An exceptional operator, a gifted engineering mind, and a natural leader, he could look at a complicated manufacturing process, recognize what others might overlook, and bring people together to make it work. His technical knowledge, practical ingenuity, and determination made him someone others turned to when the challenge was difficult and the answer was not obvious.
Throughout his career, Eric brought that gift to Guardian Automotive, Sanderson Industries, Xtreme Solutions, Nisshinbo Automotive, and DiversiTech. As Plant Superintendent at Guardian Automotive, he guided a team of nearly 170 supervisors, team leaders, and employees with discipline, confidence, and a deep understanding of people. During his decade as Manufacturing Manager at Nisshinbo Automotive, he found particular joy in sharing his knowledge, training others, and pouring into the next generation of engineers. He took pride in seeing someone he had mentored grow in skills, find confidence, and succeed.
In 2021, Eric joined DiversiTech as Production Manager, accepting the challenge of helping relocate a manufacturing process from Ohio to Conyers, Georgia. With his characteristic tenacity and exceptional ability to turn plans into working operations, he helped bring that undertaking to fruition. He continued serving in this role until his passing, doing work he loved alongside people with whom he built some of the strongest working relationships of his life. Eric's greatest accomplishment could never be measured by a title, a production goal, or the size of an operation. It was found in the people he developed, the trust he earned, and the possibilities he helped others see in themselves. He understood that leadership carried a responsibility to teach, encourage, and create opportunities for others.
Music held a special place in Eric's heart. He loved all genres of music. He was a gifted DJ, where he found joy in sharing music and bringing people together. He especially enjoyed DJing at the annual Ben and Sue Williams Family Reunion in Camp Branch, South Carolina. There, surrounded by family, his love for music became part of the memories they made together. In the years ahead, a familiar song will bring back his presence, his joy, and the feeling of being together.
For all his talents and accomplishments, Eric's family remained central to his life. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Rosalyn (Jacobs) Williams; his paternal grandparents, Odell and Lucille Williams and maternal grandparents, Percy and Mae Robinson; his parents Roosie Lee and Ruthie Mae Williams.
Loving memories of Eric Williams will always be remembered by his daughters Marquita (Milton) Patterson, Ariel (Javonte) Jamison, and Jasmine Williams, a Goddaughter, Deisha Williams; the apples of his eyes, who affectionally called him “G-Pop” - his grandchildren, Payton Saxton, Raelyn Jamison, Kayson Jamison, and Kyaire Jamison; God-grandson, Michael Holmes; sister Janet “Gail” Simmons (Ron) and bonus sister Eleanor Fennell; brothers Shedron (Cassandra) Williams and Torre Williams, a brother-in-law, Virgil Jacobs; nephews, Rezadeem Johnson, Winston Oliver, Bryan Fennell (Tianna), Brandon Fennell, Elijah Fennell, III (Ashley), Sean Fennell, TraVon Williams, Kyri Williams, Karston Jacobs, JaMal Jacobs and Rashawn Jacobs; and nieces Lauren McGuire (Khalil) and Nyrasia Jamison. He also leaves to mourn some very important people who helped shape who he is today. His uncle John Perry Williams; a cousin, raised as an uncle, Greg Robertson; aunts Ellen Capers, Chris Buckner, Margie Fennell (James), Gennett Youmans, and Barbara Doctor (Isiah), Ruth Robinson, Ida Mae Williams, and Carolyn Williams; and very special cousins, Ricky Youmans, Avis Moultrie, Vickie Folk, and Rodney McQuire. Eric was blessed with many other close cousins, extended family members, dear friends, classmates, and colleagues.
His passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot fill. His family will miss hearing his voice, sharing his company, and knowing he was there. They will feel his absence at celebrations, in everyday conversations, and in the quiet moments when they wish they could tell him just one more thing. But they can also stand with pride in the life he lived. Eric loved the Lord. He raised his daughters. He cherished his grandchildren. He cared for his family, helped others grow, and used his gifts to bring both progress and joy into the world. These are lasting contributions, held in the hearts and lives of the people who knew him.
May his example continue to call those he loved, to care for one another, give generously, work faithfully, and make time for family. Rest peacefully, Eric. You gave us so much to remember, so much to be proud of, and so much love to carry forward.
