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Melvin Leon Williams, son of the late Raymond and Dorothy Holland, was born on June 14, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland. Answering God’s call, he departed this life peacefully during the early morning hours of March 11, 2022.
Melvin was educated in Anne Arundel County Public School system and attended Queenstown Elementary School. He also attended Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis, Maryland. Melvin was raised in a Christian home and was a lifelong member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church.
On August 31, 1974, Melvin was joined in marriage to Romaine Kess. In addition to children Sherrie (a.k.a. Taffy) and Dal’Mico their union was blessed with a son, Ro’Mel Demond.
In addition to being devoted to his immediate family, Melvin loved the company of his extended family and friends, evidenced by the impromptu gatherings on any given weekend. He took pride in whatever he set out to do, especially showing off his culinary skills (he could cook up a storm). If you said you had just eaten, he’d reply “Well, I just cooked!” Dubbed the “community griot”, Melvin narrated great stories when associates visited. Good eats, great entertainment and lots of laughter. He was a “bad ma’amatappa”!
Melvin was very observant, a good judge of character, wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion and had the discernment to see the potential in all those he encouraged. His home became a safe-haven for those in need of a “pit stop” towards improvement. He will be missed dearly by the many lives he touched.
Following only his love for God and his family Melvin loved automobiles – their power, design and mechanics – and music. Melvin had a passion for cars and trucks and was blessed with a natural ability to maintain and modify their performance. These skills were also honed and taught to him by his late uncles – Russell, Eugene and Emerson Williams. Not only did he keep his automobiles in tip-top shape, he worked on those of family and friends to keep theirs at peak performance.
Melvin loved to race cars and was known throughout the region for his skills and acumen. When away from home, Melvin could be found at Capitol Raceway or Maryland International Raceway taking in the power, sights, sounds and smells of speed. Melvin also enjoyed traveling to car shows, participating in parades and sharing his automotive expertise with anyone who sought him out. Melvin won numerous awards and trophies over the years, a testament to his abilities.
Melvin was a lover of music, a walking catalog of musical knowledge across all genre and artists. This love led Melvin, with his wife and cousins, to many shows and concerts during his life. If you drove by the house and saw the lights on the porch you knew the music would be blasting. Some of Melvin’s favorite artist were Al Green, Otis Redding, Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland, the Dells, the O’Jays, the Temptations, and the Commodores.
His passion for machines extended to Melvin’s professional life as well and led him to a career in trucking and raw material hauling. Melvin spent 30 years of his career with Joseph J. Hock. He then worked for Eastern Excavating for two years, and finally with Trapp Enterprises for 20 years.
Melvin was preceded in death by his oldest son, Dal’Mico Boston.
Melvin leaves to cherish his precious memories: his wife of 47 years, Romaine; daughter, Sherrie Wali (Baha); son, Ro’Mel Williams (Erica); Seven grandchildren, Terkisha, Eric, Tenise, Charles, Dimitri, Cameron and Gabriel; Eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Renee Miller (Lassiter); Three aunts, Hilda Rooks, Betty Williams, Mary Williams; One uncle, Quentin Bolden; Leon Williams, Audrey Woodard and Valerie Williams, who were like siblings; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.