Samuel E. DeBose was born in Chicago, IL to Caine and Ruby DeBose. During his formative years he attended McKinley School an graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1967. He then went on to graduate from Thornton Community College in 1971 with an Associates of Arts degree.

In 1973 he received a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Governors State University. In 1977 he recieved a Masters of Divinity from Pittsburg Theological Seminary and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Pittsburg.

Later in the year he was commissioned into the U.S. Army ranking as Lieutenant/Captain as a Chaplain in Killeen Texas. After serving in Texas for three years, he transitioned to the correctional system in Oxford, Wisconsin to become a prison chaplain. However, God had a greater calling.

In 1981 Bishop Louis Henry Ford appointed and installed him to be the Pastor of the St. Andrew Temple Church of God in Christ where he would serve 39 years. He also served as an On Call Chaplain at Ingalls Memorial Hospital. Pastor DeBose was given a vision by the Lord to develop affordable housing for seniors; and from that vision he established St. Andrew Manor Apartments in Phoenix, IL. Pastor DeBose was known as a giant in the south suburban area.

Elder Andrew Williams was born October 3, 1900 in Le Flore County--Woodville, Mississippi. He live in Mississippi until he was about seventeen years old and then he went to Cleveland, Ohio. He was saved under Elder Mack E. Jonas in 1920 on Christmas Day.

He was married to Miss Vera E. Cantrell on December 28, 1922 in Harvey, Illinois by Bishop William Roberts. The father of three sons, two daughters and father guardian to one daughter.

In 1927 Elder Williams was called to preach and he pastored a small mission in Phoenix, Illinois for about seven years. For seven years he served as assistant pastor to Bishop Cain Scott in the Harvey COGIC. In August of 1948, Bishop William Roberts appointed Elder Andrew Williams the pastor of the Harvey Church of God in Christ.

He has held many positions during his many years in the Service of the Lord. He was District Sunday School Superintendent of the South Eastern District with Elder F. G. Green as the District Superintendent.

Elder Williams was also assistant to the Presiding Elder on Ministers’ Ordination Board. In 1977 Elder Williams was given a Testimonial Dinner in precognition of 50 years in the Ministry. In 1979 he received the Pastor of the Year Award--First Jurisdiction of Illinois.

His service as Pastor of the Harvey COGIC and he himself will never be forgotten by those who knew him. The church was renamed--St. Andrew Temple and at his demise the Bishop made a new district--Williams Memorial in his honor.