Bishop Ira Jerome Williams was born June 16, 1950, in Miami, Florida, to the late Dr. Florence Pratt Hall and Ira Lee Williams. The fifth of six siblings, Ira progressed through the Miami-Dade County Public School System. His early years at Bunche Park Elementary and North Dade Junior High fostered a deep appreciation for learning and launched his lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Ira graduated in 1968 from Miami Carol City Senior High, home of the "Chiefs," before achieving an Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College. He later attended the University of Miami, where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, before beginning his career at Prudential Financial. His work experience also included many years in the Mental Health/Substance Abuse field at Challenges Addiction Treatment Center. He considered his role as Certified Life Skills Coach, as a ministry rather than a job. Through this ministry he touched thousands of lives by sharing the message that God could deliver them from addiction, just as He had done for him.

Bishop Ira's life was a beautiful reflection of being created with purpose in the image of God to love Him and others. He accepted the Lord at an early age and studied teachings of God and His Word under the tutelage of his mother, Dr. Florence Pratt Hall, who was his Sunday School Teacher at Mount Zion AME Church. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors for Pratt Memorial Holy Spirit Christian Church and served in various positions before God called him to preach and he answered the call. In 2006, he was ordained as Pastor of Pratt Memorial and soon after voted to Senior Pastor and Board President. He was later ordained as Bishop in 2016, and tirelessly supported the church with his time and energy. While he was regarded as a bible scholar, he was passionate about the application of God's Word in daily life. He was affectionately known to share the gospel or a word of wisdom with anyone who crossed his path.

Bishop Ira Williams transitioned from this life on December 26, 2023. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Kendra Jackson; his first wife, Gwendolyn Bridges Williams; and brothers Benjamin and James Gardner. Remembering and cherishing fond memories are his wife, Melissa Williams; his children, Olatunji (Kizzy) Williams, Rashid (Amber) Williams, Rashida (Barrington) Brown, Wayne Poller, Jr., and Nichole Nichols; his siblings, Geneva Crawford, Velma Johnson, and Ivan Williams; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends.