Irma came to the Lord at the age of nine in the Church of God in Zellwood, Florida. Later, with her love for God and music, she enrolled in Lee College (currently Lee University) to study music in 1954.
There she met Edward L. Williams, the Music Department chairman. Eddie also had come to the Lord at nine years of age in Baldwin Park, California.
At this young age, it was very evident that God had gifted him with the ability to play music, for soon he was playing the accordion and the piano in churches.
Eddie and Irma were married on July 27, 1955, by his father, the Rev. H. D. Williams, in Irma’s home church in Zellwood, Florida. God orchestrated their lives, and for over 57 years they have served the Lord in church ministry, in education, and in missions. Together they have over 200 published hymns, gospel songs, and children’s songs with books, songbooks, poems, and many articles. However, “Jesus Will Hear Me When I Pray” is Eddie’s signature song; and, “I Have a Hope” and “Through the Spirit of the Lord I Have Wings” are two of Irma’s most requested songs.
Irma is a graduate of Northwest Bible College and Lee University. Eddie earned two graduate degrees: a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; a master of arts in evangelism from Scarritt College; and one postgraduate degree, a doctor of ministry from the School of Divinity, Vanderbilt University.
The Lord has blessed Eddie and Irma with two children: a son, Michael, and a daughter, Marsena and her husband, Mark; two grandchildren: Kristina and her husband, Travis; Shaun and his wife, Jenifer; six great-grandchildren: Michael Skyler, Haley Elaine, Garrett Griffin, Christopher Alexander, Emily Christine, and Jacob.