Alex Williams

Alex Marlowe Williams, 59, a native Staten Islander and retired detective for the New York City Department of Correction who loved his family and also successfully pursued his dreams of becoming a business entrepreneur, died Friday in his home in Tottenville.
Alex was born on Dec. 23, 1960, in the former United States Public Health Service Hospital in Clifton to his loving parents, Louis and Ella Mae Williams. He was raised in the community of Tottenville.
He graduated from P.S. 1, Tottenville, and went on to attend middle school at the Elias Bernstein Intermediate School, Huguenot. Initially, Alex began attending Tottenville High School until opting to leave to join the United States Army in 1977. While in the army, he went on to earn his general equivalency diploma.
Alex served close to three years in the armed forces as an electrician and attained the rank of private first class. He spent the bulk of his military career stationed in Germany, and received commendations for his service including an award for sharpshooting.
He was honorably discharged in 1979.
Alex went on to a career in law enforcement spending 30 years working with the New York City Department of Correction. He began his vocation as a corrections officer until he was promoted to the Department's Internal Affairs Unit, where he advanced to the rank of detective. While in law enforcement, Alex received many accolades for his service. He retired from the department in the early 2000's.
During this time, Alex also pursued his dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur by opening his own jewelry business. The Bronx-based enterprise focused on selling fine jewelry for both men and women; he co-owned and operated the business for 15 years.
Alex also subsequently opened a clothing store, Just Us Fashions, also based in the Bronx, which he owned and operated for 10 years.
Additionally, he also formerly co-owned a gym on the Island's South Shore.
"He was a very savvy businessman," said his brother, Carson Williams. "Alex knew how to take an idea like opening a business and run with it. He saw the process through from start to finish and was very successful in everything he did."
"He was a kind and thoughtful and a very generous, generous person," added his brother.
"He was my son. He was a good kid. He was always there when I needed him and he took me wherever I needed to go," said his father, Louis Williams.
Alex was predeceased by his mother, the former Ella Mae Mitchell, who died in 1988; his sister, Phyllis A. Williams, who died in 2014; and his brother, Calvin William, who died in 2011.
In addition to his father, Louis and his brother, Carson, also surviving are his daughter, Alyssa Williams; another brother, Aaron Williams; five nephews; two nieces; a stepson, and loving aunts, many cousins, and grandnieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held Friday in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home in Tottenville with a wake at 9 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.