Matthew Carlyle Williams

Matthew Carlyle Williams was born May 23, 1980 to Pamela Williams and Jimmie Gilmore at Sparrow Hospital. He left his loved ones to be with the Lord on Monday, January 30, 2023, at the age of 42. Matt gave his Life to Christ and received the Holy Ghost at the age of 12, at Bethlehem Temple Church in Lansing, Michigan. A lively child, he never met a stranger – meaning, to know him was to love him.

In his home church, The BreadHouse, he notoriously played the drums any chance he could get, it was often said “Matthew could make those drums talk!” He even taught himself how to play the organ, a true phonically talented musician. His love for the drums transcended from church to school where at Everett High School, he played in the band as a snare drummer until his car accident in the summer of ‘96. His love for sports also echoed through many different school arenas because Matthew was what they would frame an all star American athlete, excelling in any sport he set his heart out to do as he ran track, played football, basketball, and was a strong swimmer. At the time of his accident, Tom Izzo personally met and signed a forever cherished basketball for Matt as he was fighting through recovery – everyone took note how gifted he truly was.

Still, with his life altering car accident, Matthew was – without a doubt – the life of the party! He had an infectious, hearty, and limitless sense of humor that would make the room and those around him fall out. Friendship and family meant a lot to Matt and he was loyal to the core – he was the type to give the shirt off his back and not ask for it back even in the cold. On any given day you could have caught Matt riding around the city and setting the energetic tone wherever he landed or being a chef and cooking up a meal for everyone on the grill or stove. We would be remiss not to mention his undeniable, authentic swagger, that anyone could witness a mile away.

In his adult lifespan, since 1998 – Matt contributed to Michigan’s music scene in a legendary way. He was a founding member of Lansing’s own Conn Click Records and kept shining with his artistry and talents through a number of mixtapes, features and production contributions. Matt set out to create his own label, Disabled Records, where he would record his lyrical vigor anywhere HE chose. On many occasions, Matt was notorious for turning his hospital rooms into therapeutic music sessions that turned loud in more ways than one. Matt reached for the stars with every breath he took and never let anything get in the way; his difficult journey from turning pain into beautiful works of art should inspire us all.

Matthew was preceded in death by his father, David E. Leek, and leaves behind two children whom he loved to his core, Mikel Williams (27) and Mattea Williams (7) (Stephanie Craft); his loving mother, Pamela Leek of Lansing, Michigan; 8 brothers and sisters and 18 nieces and nephews: David Leek; Lori Leek (Jay Leek) (Alexys Leek); Kevin Leek (Linda Leek) (Lori Christian, Bianka Strong, Dominique and Krystall Leek); Dwayne Leek (LaToya and Kyrese Leek); Wanda Leek (Jeff and Tiara Austin); Yemora Williams (Camren Williams, Chantavia and Tyresha Brooks); Nichole Leek (Daniel and Nicholas Carter); and Sarah Waston (Chris Waston) (Jaedah Monger, Christopher Jr., Ruby and Malcolm Waston).

To Matt, who has always marched to the beat of your own drum, we will cherish our memories together, forever.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at The Bread House, 1518 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48910. His family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to his family through GoFundMe.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.