BATON ROUGE - Grief-stricken family members clung to one another Monday as Rep. Alfred Williams' casket was wheeled out of a North Baton church.

About 500 people attended the service, including state lawmakers and city-parish officials.

Williams, 64, died of complications from knee surgery last week. He was a lawyer and had served on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and then in Mayor Kip Holden's administration as an advisor.  He was a freshman representative, having completed his first term in office when the legislative session ended earlier this summer.

"Alfred always wanted to make a difference. He wanted to go out and help people," said EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden.

Most recently, Williams fought with the Department of Child and Family Services for, in his opinion, overlooking victims of child abuse.

Loved ones described Williams as a model citizen who through his life had overcame personal demons.  Williams won a battle with drug addiction and encouraged others to follow his example.

"He is the man he is today for over coming those problems and will be the man we remember," said Rep. Pat Smith (D-Baton Rouge).

Williams was buried at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. He leaves behind a large family including a wife, six children, four sisters, a brother, several grandchildren and many friends.