The Rev. Bernard Alvin Williams, retired priest of the Diocese of Arizona, died Jan. 1 in Vancouver, WA. He was 78.

A native of Adams, MA, Fr. Williams was a graduate of the University of Michigan and Michigan Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon in 1971 and priest in 1972. Fr. Williams served as assistant at St. Stephen's, Wyandotte, MI, 1971-81; vicar of St. Luke's, Willcox, AZ, 1982-84; and vicar of All Saints', Safford, AZ, 1982-94.