July 31, 1942 – August 13, 2026
Richmond, CA
In Loving Memory
Niculia “Nikki” Williams, beloved mother, grandmother, community leader, mentor, woman of faith, and tireless champion for children and families, transitioned peacefully on August 13, 2026, at the age of 84. Nikki was born July 31, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest of nine children. She spent portions of her childhood in East St. Louis, Illinois, growing up in a large family of modest means during an era of segregation and racial inequality.
For more than eight decades, Nikki lived a life defined by faith, family, determination, service, and love. From humble beginnings, she became a respected community leader whose life's work created opportunities for generations of children and families throughout Berkeley and Alameda County.
Early Life and Family
Nikki moved to California in 1960 as part of her family's migration west. She met Carl Milton Williams, Sr. on New Year's Eve, and they married on July 31, 1961. Together they became parents to three sons: Carl M. Williams, Jr., Alex J. Williams, and Kevin D. Williams, JD, MPH.
Motherhood was among Nikki's greatest callings. She was loving, demanding, protective, and deeply devoted to her sons. She filled their childhood with sports, practices and games, beach trips, movies, nature walks, canoeing, and family traditions.
Education and Service
At age 42, she was admitted to the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with Honors in 1987 with a degree in Social Welfare #gobears. She continued her graduate education in public administration at then-California State University, Hayward, seeking the skills she needed to strengthen the organization that would become the centerpiece of her professional life: Berkeley Youth Alternatives (BYA).
As BYA’s Executive Director, Nikki became a fierce advocate for children, youth, young adults, and families, particularly in South and West Berkeley. She believed young people needed opportunity, education, accountability, encouragement, and adults who refused to give up on them.
In many ways, the same tough love she gave her sons became part of her approach to an entire community. As those closest to her sometimes observed: “She was only tough on the people she really loved.”
Her service received numerous honors, including induction into the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2012, during Black History Month, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors honored Nikki for her contributions to the community, recognizing her as one of its true “sheroes.”
Faith
At the center of Nikki's life was her faith in Jesus Christ. She was a devoted member of Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, served on its Board of Trustees for a period of time, and took special pride in helping redesign her church home. Nikki was especially grateful for the ministry of Rev. Brian D. Hunter, Senior Pastor whose preaching and teaching she deeply admired. She often spoke of how much she learned through his faithful teaching of God's Word and believed that the messages God delivered through him strengthened, empowered, and inspired her in her own Christian walk.
Her faith also sustained her through significant health challenges during the latter years of her life. Nikki approached those challenges with the same determination that characterized everything she did. Her philosophy was simple:
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
A Life Fully Lived
But Nikki also knew how to enjoy life.
She loved dancing, sports, good food, family, and friends. She was an athlete: a bowler in her early adult years, a swimmer, a beach volleyball player, and a passionate tennis player and fan. One of her favorite memories was being on the grounds at Wimbledon and watching Serena Williams while enjoying strawberries and cream.
Nikki fulfilled her lifelong love of dance by creating a senior Soul-Line Dancing program at BYA for adults in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. She also traveled with family and friends to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Brazil, Kenya, and Tanzania.
She was an intensely loyal Golden State Warriors fan through both the lean years and the championships and, like much of her family, a devoted and frequently frustrated member of Raider Nation.
She loved to cook and one could often find her in the BYA Kitchen for an impromptu meeting or a gentle scolding session with a youth or staff while making snacks for kids. And her Thanksgiving dinners were legendary (especially her dressing and macaroni & cheese) and New Year's Day meant black-eyed peas and gumbo.
Family and Legacy
Of all of Nikki's accomplishments, family remained among her greatest sources of joy. She was especially grateful to be the mother of three Black men whom she had lived to see grow. Later came another extraordinary blessing: her beloved grandson and namesake, Nicolai. Nikki adored Nicolai and delighted in his joy, humor, strength, and feisty determination, qualities that reminds everyone of his grandmother.
At her 80th birthday celebration, Nikki reflected on the spiritual foundation that had carried her throughout her remarkable life. She said she knew both “who I am AND whose I am.” And she left those she loved with this wisdom: “You have all the time in the world but not a day to waste.”
That is how Nikki Williams lived. She loved her family, served her community, overcame adversity, and left the world better than she found it. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
Rest Peacefully, Mom. Your work is complete and Your legacy continues.
Those Who Came Before Her
Nikki was preceded in death by her eight siblings: James Williams, Eugene Ford, William Ford, Barbara Hendrix, Melvin Ford, Rosie Davis, Pearl Hall, and Alvin Ford.
Those Who Cherish Her Memory
She leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Carl M. Williams, Jr.; Alex J. Williams; and Kevin D. Williams, JD, MPH; her grandson, Nicolai S. Bergantino Williams; her daughter-in-law, Annalie Bergantino; her former husband and lifelong friend, Carl M. Williams, Sr.; her sister-in-law, Margie Ford, and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, colleagues, mentees, her BMZ Church family, and generations of young people whose lives were touched by her service.
In Lieu of Flowers
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Nikki's memory to Berkeley Youth Alternatives or Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Services
Viewing: Fouche’s Hudson Funeral Home September 9, 2026 1pm
Homegoing Service: Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church September 10, 2026 10am
Interment: Rolling Hills Cemetery, September 10, 2026 12pm