Rev. Ewing L. McWilliams was born in Limestone, County, Ala., February 18, 1857. He left his father's home when he was but eighteen years old and went out to Texas to work for himself. After being there a few years he professed religion and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Soon after this he felt that he had received a call to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and placed himself under the care of the Bacon Presbytery as a Probationer for the ministry, and in due course of time was ordained to the whole work of the ministry. Dates not known. He took his literary course in Trinity University, Tehuacana, Texas. He entered Cumberland University Theological Department, 1884, and graduated in 1886. He graduated with a class of twenty, and only two out of that number remained loyal to the Church, Rev. J. H. Miller, of Georgia, and himself.

He was married to Miss Emma Cawthon, of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., in 1887. He leaves a wife and four sons to mourn his loss. He died on Monday morning, February 3, 1913, aged fifty-five years, eleven months and fifteen days.

Brother McWilliams' popularity in the community where he lived was attested by the large number who attended his funeral, which was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, February 4, by the Rev. J. R. Goodpasture, of Nashville. There were also a number of talks by representatives of the other churches present on that occasion. The services were conducted in Cloyd's Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at Mt. Juliet. My acquaintance with Brother McWilliams dates back to the year 1884. Since that time our relations have been of the most cordial character. To know him was to love him. He always carried sunshine into every home he entered. He was of a jovial disposition, and made himself agreeable on all occasions. He was a most loyal Cumberland Presbyterian, and just after the split in our church, when preachers were for a time scarce, he not only preached every Sabbath, but preached of nights through the week. He was successful as a pastor and died much to build up the churches where he ministered. I have labored with him in his own protracted meetings and have had him to help me in mine, and I think I have had a good opportunity to know him. But he has heard the plaudit, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of they Lord." But what shall I say to the heart-stricken companion and those noble sons? No more you'll hear that familiar voice, nor see him coming in and going out to work in the vineyard of his Lord. Now "Heaven is nearer, and Christ is dearer" than ever before. Yes, heaven is coming down closer as one after another of our friends cross over the mystic tide. The warning comes to us all, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

Farewell, dear Brother, until the great vernal when earth and sea shall give up their dead and humanity come forth in immortal youth and beauty. Once more, True yoke fellow, FAREWELL.                 W. T. Dale.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, February 27, 1913, page 131]

1913
Ministers Lost by Death
McWilliams, Ewing L., Lebanon Presbytery, Feb. 4, 1913
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1913, page 311.]