 MONROE WILLIAMS Monroe Williams, 72, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, with his wife and son at his side. He was born in Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 14, 1939, and raised in Las Vegas. His early education began at the historic Westside School in 1945, later attending Madison Elementary School. After graduating from Las Vegas High School in 1958, Monroe, enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a physician's assistant at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif. Following an honorable discharge, he returned to Las Vegas where he was initially employed at Ranch Market as a grocery checker and butcher. Monroe became one of the two first black firefighters hired by the City of Las Vegas Fire Department in 1963. He achieved the rank of fire captain in 1982, a position that capped a stellar career and one that he held until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the Las Vegas United Firefighters of Southern Nevada and an honorary member of the Professional Black Firefighters of Clark County. He served on the Clark County Democratic central committee and was involved in the successful election of several democratic candidates. An avid advocate for the betterment of his community, he served on many boards and professional committees, including advisory council member the Clark County School District Integration Committee and on the Board of Directors of Operation Independence, now known as the Economic Opportunity Board, a charter member of the Sara Allen Credit Union and a member of the Westside School Alumni Foundation. In 1968, Monroe achieved another first when he became one of only four black licensed realtors in the state of Nevada. Shortly thereafter, he obtained his real estate broker's license and eventually became a certified property manager and certified appraiser for the department of Housing and Urban Development. Monroe had a successful real estate career that spanned more than 40 years, culminating in being an officer in the National Association of Realtors. The Williams/Walker Educational Scholarship is named in his honor and benefits educational advancement. Monroe was preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Ernestine; sister, Hurtisene; and brother, Noah. Monroe is survived by his wife, of 50 years, Brenda J. Williams; and their three children, Tanya L. Williams, Kenneth M. Williams Sr. and Jolene R. Williams; son, Derrick D. Harvey; two grandsons, Kenneth Williams Jr. and Jalen A. Broadnax; two great-granddaughters, Keniya A. Williams and Malia Williams; his sister, Ruthene McKinney; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26, at Palm Mortuary-Downtown, 1325 N. Main St., Las Vegas. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Second Baptist Church, 500 W. Madison Ave., followed by graveside services at Palm Memorial Park.
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Arrangements under the direction of:
Palm Downtown Funeral Home
1325 North Main St | Las Vegas, NV 89101 | (702) 464-8300
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Las Vegas, NV (702) 464-8300
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