NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (June 22, 2021) Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, a powerful presence for decades with the International Longshoremen’s Association in the Port of Jacksonville, Florida and throughout the entire ILA, passed away on June 16th at the age of 84. At Jacksonville’s Macadonia Baptist Church of Northside, where Brother Williams served as Senior Pastor for nearly half a century, his life will be honored with a wake on Friday, June 25th at 6 pm and a Funeral Service on Saturday, June 26th, beginning at 11 am. Macedonia Baptist Church is located at 1880 Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida.
“The world of labor and the religious community has lost one of its most remarkable figures in Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr.,” said International President Harold J. Daggett. “I am proud to have known him and to recognize his impact and influence with the International Longshoremen’s Association and its membership. Brother Williams’ life was dedicated to being a voice to the ILA members he represented and a spiritual leader to those he counseled.”
“Landon was a mentor for many of us in the ILA,” said Vincent Cameron, current International Vice President from the Port of Jacksonville who, like Landon Williams, led ILA Local 1408 as president. “As a Local 1408 President and an International Vice President, it humbles me to walk in the footprints of a man who cast such a large shadow. President Landon Williams’ accomplishments were great and his memory will long endure.”
Kenneth Riley, ILA Vice President from the Port of Charleston, paid tribute to a man he called his “kindred spirit” in a post on the ILA’s Facebook page.
“This man was truly a legend,” Riley wrote. “I was impressed the very first time I saw him on a convention floor, fighting for what he believed was fair and equitable. From that day until now, I knew we were of kindred spirits. And what was amazing, he felt the same way about me. I love him and will never forget him. Today he is resting and has received his reward. Well done, Landon, well done. We will meet again one day.”
Brother Landon Williams led ILA Local 1408 in the Port of Jacksonville, Florida from 1960 to 1973. He served as a Vice President and Executive Board member on the ILA’s South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Executive Board and an International Vice President from 1972 to 1983. Brother Williams was active in the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Serving as Chapter President from 1970 to 1974.
Rev. Dr. Williams received his Doctor of Ministry from the Covington Theological Seminary in Rossville, Georgia after receiving a Master of Arts Degree from Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary in Jacksonville and a bachelor’s degree in Bible Studies from Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.
He held numerous posts at several religious institution, including his Senior Pastor position at Macedonia Baptist Church from 1976 to the present.
A widower, married to the late Rosalind P. Williams, Brother Williams was the father of five children.