PHOENIX (BP)–An American soldier who was baptized as a young boy and rededicated his life to Christ before being deployed overseas is one of the latest casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, 31, was killed in action during a firefight around Nasiriyah, Iraq. The Yuma, Ariz., native was reported missing in action March 26 before the military changed his status three days later to killed in action. He was based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Williams also was a member of North Phoenix Baptist Church, where he was baptized around the age of 10. He rededicated his life shortly before deployment. A memorial service for Williams will be held at the church at a yet to be determined time; his body is still overseas.
Dottie Kendig, an administrative assistant at the church, knows Williams’ mother and has spoken with her since the news broke.
“Her only comments are that whatever happens, whatever is done, that God be glorified in the entire situation,” Kendig told Baptist Press. “That’s really the bottom line as far as she’s concerned.”
Kendig recounted how the mother, Sandy Watson, has drawn much strength from Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
“She said, ‘God is so faithful. Even though my boys drifted, he’s been faithful to bring them back,'” Kendig said.
Christians should pray that lost people will be drawn to Christ as a result of Williams’ testimony, Kendig said.
“I think the prayer would be that because of this situation that people would be brought to Jesus,” she said. “I believe that is Sandy’s desire. … I really believe she wants the Lord to be glorified.”
Williams worked at a flooring business until the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, forever changed his path, according to The New York Times. The attacks so bothered him that he joined the Marines. Because of his age, many of the younger soldiers called him “Pops,” the newspaper reported.
While on the ship on his way to Iraq, he proposed to his girlfriend via e-mail, The Times reported. She had said “yes.”
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: MICHAEL J. WILLIAMS.
