Jamal Haddad, 59, artist and activist

JAMAL HADDAD, 59, formerly Joel Williams, the twin brother of Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams, died Sunday, Sept. 18, at Temple University Hospital of complications from a stroke.

"Most people didn't know I had a twin brother," Sheriff Williams said. "We were very close. He was always smaller than me and I used to have to stick up for him all the time."

Sheriff Williams said his brother moved to Michigan shortly after graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School.

He never married and had no children, the sheriff said.

In Flint, Mich., where he lived for more than 30 years, Mr. Haddad owned and operated an exterminating business, and was very active in the Islamic community, Sheriff Williams said. A skilled artist, Mr. Haddad also loved painting and sketching, his brother said.

Mr. Haddad returned to Philadelphia about three years ago, his family said.

"He was well-known in the community, and was active and outspoken on issues he really cared about," Sheriff Williams said. "We used to have many conversations about community and cultural concerns. I can't describe how much I will miss him."

In addition to Sheriff Williams, Mr. Haddad is survived by another brother, Lester Williams, and sisters Gloria Boyd and Sheler Robinson.

Services are set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Sister Clara Muhammad School, 4700 Wyalusing Ave. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Park, 140 W. Street Road in Feasterville.

Family and friends will gather at a repast at the Nix & Nix Event Venue at 1525 W. Dauphin St. at 3 p.m.

Cards and expressions of condolences may be mailed to Nix & Nix Funeral Home, 1621 W. Dauphin St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19132.

russv@phillynews.com