William H Albury II

Life Begins: Pastor William Henry Albury, Jr. was born in Miami Beach, Florida on June 17, 1931 to the late William Henry Albury, Sr. and Eliza Bonaby-Albury. As a child he attended Bethany SDA Church School in Miami Beach, Florida. He later graduated from Carver High School in Delray Beach, Florida.

A Life of Love: While singing with the gospel recording artists The Trumpet Jubilees, he met the love of his life, Louise McGrady. They soon fell in love, married and raised ten children - Eliza Brown (Larry), Eddie Prince (Myrna), Nanell Bennett (Nicky), James Prince, Marvin Prince (Betty), Elouise Gilbert (L.C.), Lillian Albury, William H. Albury, III (Sherry), Elizabeth Albury (Shane), and Elaine Coleman (Clarence – deceased). Eight of William’s siblings proceeded him in death - Mary Ruth Williams, Thomas, Joseph, Leonard, Carroll, Nathaniel (Shirley), Anthony (Sarah) and Robert. Goddaughter, Audra Mark, also preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn three sisters - Margaret Broomfield (Richmond, VA), Betty Webster and Phyllis Owens (both of Boynton Beach). He also leaves to mourn 29 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; eight in-laws -Annie Ruth Washington, Nathaniel McGrady, Mildred Willis, Geraldine Johnson, Eldridge McGrady (Zelma), Eddie Willie McGrady, Sammy Lee McGrady and James McGrady; goddaughter -Angel-Monique Davis; devoted nephew - Cedric Long; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

A Life of Service: In 1953, William enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Korean War as a combat medic. Left atop Pork Chop Hill in the midst of battle for an entire night, he honored his oath by providing medical care to soldiers from both sides of the war. Only by the grace of God, his company returned that morning and rescued him.  Upon his return from the war, he began work as an orderly at Boulevard Manor Nursing Home and A.G. Holley State Hospital where he was employed for 30 years. After his retirement, he continued helping others as a private duty nurse for many years.

As a trained certified lay Pastor of the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, he served under Pastors Don Edwards, Brent Waldon, Sr., Wesley Bruce and Harold Brooks. He also served as pastor for three churches in Western Palm Beach County- Clewiston, Belle Glade and Pahokee. He also served as first Elder and Sabbath school teacher at Daughter of Zion SDA Church.

Homeless No More Center, Inc.

Heeding the prompting of his mother Eliza's words, "you've got to help the people", William, along with his brother Carroll, established Homeless No More Center, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission was "helping others to help themselves.”  Along with his brothers, Anthony and Leonard, and other family and community members, Homeless No More Center provided hundreds of individuals and families with emergency and transitional housing and case management services.  Additionally, in an effort to meet the need of individuals infected with HIV/AIDS, Homeless No More Center established and operated Eliza's Residence under the direction of daughters Lillian & Elizabeth Albury. The Center provided residential housing and case management services to adolescents and teens infected with the HIV/AIDS virus.

Homeless No More Center Thrift Store

As additional community outreach, he also established, and primarily operated the Homeless No More thrift store. Through the benevolent donations received from the Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church and numerous of other organizations and individuals, the store was able to provide additional revenue to cover program expenses. However, it was not unusual for William to provide clothing, furniture and household items "free of charge" to those who could not pay.

God’s Kitchen

Alongside his brother Carroll, founder and operator of God's Kitchen, they were able to provide hundreds of daily hot meals and food pantry items to the homeless and hungry within the Boynton Beach community.  After the passing of his brother, Carroll, William continued to work tirelessly operating God's Kitchen with the help of his sister Mary, nephew Cedric Long and other community members until his own illness in 2005.

Daughter of Zion Street Ministries

Recognizing that there was an underserved homeless and hungry population in the Delray Beach area, he established a community outreach program through the Daughter of Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church (DOZ). This program provided hot meals on a bi-weekly basis to the homeless and others in need. Working alongside his nephew, Cedric, and a host family and committed church volunteers, they established a Food Pantry which is funded through the US Department of Agriculture.  Both these programs continue to serve hundreds of individuals and families with food.  Although the DOZ Street Ministries meals were funded by the church, he would often use his own funds to supplement the program. He did so because he believed that no one who came in search of food would leave hungry.  He also worked with the church members in the western communities (Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Clewiston) to provide hot meals and clothing to the homeless, hungry and financially challenged individuals in those communities.

A Life Ends: Sadly, on May 26, 2016 Pastor William H. Albury, Jr. was called to rest from his life of service. However, his life of love, service and accomplishments will forever live in our hearts.  

“God give our family beauty for our ashes, the oil of joy for our mourning, and a garment of praise for our spirit of heaviness." - Isaiah 61:3

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