Updated July 17, 2020 with funeral arrangements.
Chad Williams, senior pastor at Rochester First Baptist Church, died July 14, 2020 while on vacation in Alaska with his wife, Jennifer.
Williams, a Tennessee native, was born July 20, 1978. Chad and Jennifer were married May 13, 2006. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind three young sons, Nate, Peyton, and Logan, plus a foster daughter.
Williams became pastor at First Baptist in January 2018. Prior to serving there, he was family pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur from October 2012 through December 2017. He previously served as minister to students at Sharon Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. and Faith Baptist Church at Durham, N.C.
He served Central Baptist Association as co-partnership coordinator from 2017 through his passing. Williams was also Youth Encounter Central site coordinator from 2015-2018 for the Illinois Baptist State Association.
He earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. and a Bachelor of Arts in History/Youth Ministry at King University, Bristol, Tenn.
One of his favorite Bible verses was Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
On Father’s Day 2020, Jennifer shared this testimony on his Facebook page, “Thankful for my husband and the amazing dad he is to our kids! I couldn’t have survived quarantine without you!!! Thank you for teaching our kids to love and serve God with everything, for our adventures, for being there when I am at work and all you do to keep things running! You have done an amazing job with our little girl the past few months as well – and I’m so thankful for the example of a godly man and husband you are teaching her.”
Funeral Services for Williams will be held Monday, July 20 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, 117 E. Charlemont Ave, Kingsport, Tenn. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 1 p.m. and a Graveside Service. The funeral home requests everyone attending wear a face mask. For more information visit, the church’s website www.rochesterfirstbaptist.org or Facebook page.