Omer Williams

Omer Williams passed away on June 3, 2020 at the age of 70. He was a husband to April, father to four, grandfather to nine, and great grandfather to nine with two more on the way.

An online tribute wall was created for Omer, with many expressing their love and sympathy for him and his family. Chelsea, one of his granddaughters, shared, “I miss you so much papaw.” 

Omer was released from North Central Correctional Complex in Ohio with symptoms of Covid-19 and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Omer’s wife, April, said, “He was not well when he left that prison…He couldn’t hardly breathe at all.” Omer didn’t want to get his loved ones sick, so he tried to stay away from them and kept a mask on. 

The next day, he collapsed. He was hospitalized and tested positive for Covid-19. 

Before Omer was sedated and put on a ventilator, he spoke with April on the phone to tell her he loved her. April and their children got to be with Omer in the hospital before he died. April said, “He waited until my daughter left the room to pass away.” 

The volunteers with Mourning Our Losses lament Omer's passing. Brian Asey, one volunteer, writes:

From the Humans in San Quentin

San Quentin State Prison wants to send some love to the family of Omer Williams. Although I didn’t know Omer, I want the family to know that just because Omer was incarcerated doesn’t mean he should be treated anything less than who he was, a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Being incarcerated myself for over 22 years, having an opportunity to spend my last days with my loved ones in any condition would have been the way I would want to go. Think of being with Omer in his last days[:] a blessing because 27 incarcerated men passed of COVID here in San Quentin and never had an opportunity to see their loved ones.

I am thankful to have this opportunity to share my condolence with the family, and I hope the people who knew him remember him for his good and not for his mistakes. That’s all the incarcerated strive to truly be is not judged by the worst moments of their life.

You are loved and missed by many, Omer.

This memorial was written by MOL team members Caroline Harlow and Brian Asey, with information from reporting by Sarah Volpenheim of Marion Star, Sarah Volpenheim of The Columbus Dispatch, and postings from Cremation Services of Ohio.