Joshua Caleb Williams

Joshua Caleb Williams, age 29, passed on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Joshua was born on September 27, 1994 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Our beautiful Joshua, has gone to be with the Lord. He loved the Lord Jesus, despite his addiction, he always talked about God, hoped for the rapture and listened to sermons and soaking Scriptures on Youtube at night when we were able to let him live with us. Josh had long ago received the Lord Jesus, as Savior and Lord, but he was tormented by many things, I believe Satan fought hard for Josh because God had a great plan for his life, and though he didn’t get Josh’s soul he was able to thwart many of the purposes God had for Josh’s life. Joshua was preceded in death by his (Papa) Odie Dewayne Hinkle. Those he leaves to cherish his memories are his parents, Richard and Cindy Williams, one brother, Jacob and wife Sarah Leigh Williams and, one sister, Sarah Elizabeth Williams. Grandparents, (MawMaw) Joyce Hinkle, and (Papa) Will Williams and (MoMo) Mary Jo Williams. Two nieces, Ella and Leigha Williams and one nephew, Brayson Williams. Several aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends who will deeply miss him. Honorary pallbearers include Jacob Williams, Thomas Hinkle, Tyler Hughes, Ben Morgan, Jeremiah Hinkle, Randy Hinkle, Samuel Chaparro, Damon Taylor, Dayne Taylor and Billy Cannon. A few weeks ago I was given 1 Corinthians 5:5 regarding the destruction of the body for the salvation of the soul. This was not what we wanted for Josh yet it was a relief to me to know that my son is saved, regardless of what he was able to accomplish on this earth. But, my prayer has always been to watch him serve God with his whole heart and show that big smile, give those shoulder rubs and share the love for God and for people he had by ministering to those struggling with addiction once he himself had overcome it. He gave away everything he had, when he was in an institution or rehab we would bring him clothes, food, vitamins, etc .,, he would give most of it away and ask for more, because he wanted to share everything. Josh didn’t have a materialistic bone in his body. They called him “Jesus” on the streets because he talked about the Lord Jesus so much and he shared everything he had. Yet, he was confused about many things, mentally ill from drug use, and also I believe he started down this road because of OCD, which he struggled with from a young age. So many things have happened the past four days to give this doubting Mother more peace than I have ever previously had regarding Josh’s soul. After all, I was raised to believe you can’t go to heaven while living in sin. The Bible is pretty clear that we are to crucify our sinful nature once we are saved, but that battle is different in each life. However, we have had many evidences of God’s mercies and grace toward Joshua in the past several days, assurances to us that God’s mercies run very deep. I could write pages on what God has shown us the past few days, this is not the time for that. I believe Josh is healed and made whole because of the Blood of Jesus which covers his sin, my sin, and your sin if you truly believe “It is Finished!” ... as Jesus said before He gave up His spirit. In closing, though our hearts are demolished right now, devastated by the loss of our beautiful son, by the loss of our dreams and hopes for Josh, by the loss of the opportunities to love on him, spend time with him, see him have a family and just be with us! ... Still, we are comforted that Josh is in a far better place than this, he is in heaven and we will be together again, in a land where there will be no more sorrow, sadness, addictions, temptations, meanness or sickness, including mental illness. We will be with Jesus who binds up the broken, heals the broken hearted, redeems the lost, restores that which the locusts have eaten, seven fold! Joshua donated his heart, his liver and maybe more, I have been too distraught to focus on the details, but I know that lives have been saved because of Josh. What the devil meant for evil, God has used for good. What the devil meant to steal has turned and been used to save others. I find comfort in this, and in many other things that have happened the past few days. Joshua, was told hundreds of times how much we loved him, right in his ear, and as we laid our heads and hands on his heart, we kissed him, caressed him, cared for him and cried over him, and as difficult as this has been, it was a gift to us, this time with him, with his mind quieted, and our own stubborn hearts melted, our anger at his addiction put into a perspective we could handle, the blame casting was stifled, hard realities were dealt with with grace and compassion instead of anger and blame. Healing is a process, we know that as a family, we must be diligent to guard our hearts and minds. We must be diligent to know that the Lord Jesus is not needed day by day, but minute by minute, we must breathe and abide in Him, we overcome by taking in the Living Bread, the Living Water, the Word of God which feeds and nourishes our hunger and thirst. Without Jesus we can do nothing but through Him we are more than conquerers. Pray for us all to love each other better, hold each other closer, to forgive each other completely. What the enemy meant for destruction, God used to bring healing. Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you Father in Heaven, and thank you Holy Spirit for ministering to us all, including our precious Joshua as he prepared to meet God. Graveside Services; will be 2:00 PM Friday February 2, 2024 in McGee cemetery Stratford, Oklahoma.

Tributes

Joshua Caleb Williams

September 27, 1994 - January 30, 2024