CRESTVIEW — The community here is mourning the loss of Brother Raymond Williams, who died this morning.
Williams officiated 237 weddings and 721 funerals during 39 years of ministry between New Beginnings and Southside Baptist Church, today's Central Baptist Church, according to past news reports.
And New Beginnings grew in attendance from 26 members in 1993 to nearly 300 members each Sunday.
Crestview resident Ryan Mabry said he was among those touched by Williams' ministry.
"The love and respect my entire family feels for Bro. Raymond Williams and his thorough teachings of the Word of God, has forever changed our lives," Mabry stated in a public Facebook post.
Williams provided community service on countless occasions, whether serving as hospital chaplain or collecting bicycles for children.
Monthly, he traveled nearly 2,000 miles to visit church members in the hospital, residents in spiritual need or to collect donations for the center, according to past news reports.
The nearby Raymond Williams Mission Center, which has provided food and clothing to more than 700 area families, was named after him.
Williams was 82 when he gave his final sermon as New Beginnings' head pastor on March 16, 2014. He regularly attended church services and served the community thereafter.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community mourns Crestview pastor's death