James Williams Jr.

Deacon James Williams Jr. was born to the union of James Williams Sr. and Willadean Rocker Williams, who preceded him in death. James was born Oct. 6, 1954 in Clarke County. He departed this life on the morning of May 9, 2021. He was 66 years of age.

A graduate of Jackson High School, his love of sports was cultivated there while participating football and basketball. Following graduation, he relocated to Youngstown, Ohio and enrolled in the Bitwell Training Center to become a chef. He loved to cook and did it well. While in School, James worked at a local steel mill for four years.

When his father became ill, he returned home to assist with his care. Upon his relocation, he secured employment as a painter at Astro Enterprises in Jackson and remained there until he retired.

As an adult, he moved to Washington County to live and became a member of Lewis Grove Baptist Church in Wagarville. While there he was actively involved in various committees and served as a deacon at the church. He loved his pastor and the Lewis Grove Baptist Church family.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted and loving wife of 23 years, Betty Grayson Williams; three children, Linda (Evan) Wiggins and Sylvia D. Campbell, both of Waynesboro, Miss., and Shane (DeKaylynn) Grayson of Mobile; three brothers, George Williams and Arnold Williams, both of Jackson, and Jimmy Lee Williams of Youngstown, Ohio; one sister, Beatrice (Barry) Hurd Sr. of Jackson; one uncle, Taylor Rocker of Mobile; two aunts, Lela Sanders of Youngstown and Alice (Lowde) Robinson of Pittsburg, Pa.; three brothers-in-law, Gilbert Grayson of Atlanta, Ga., and two very devoted brothers-in-law, Herbert (Alzaline) Grayson Jr. of Toddtown and Barry (Beatrice) Hurd Sr. of Jackson; the Charlie Kimbrough family of Wagarville; Saundra Joyce Yelder and Ralph Yelder of Grand Bay; 11 grandchildren, Alioana Chapman, Serenity Dubose, Quandarious Dubose, Shacorey Everette, Erica Dubose, Devontae Campbell, Jaqualin Young, Shandavious Campbell, Ziya Campbell, A’mia Grayson and Arin Grayson; devoted cousin, Velma Bumpers of Leroy; with a host of stepsisters, stepbrothers, nieces, nephews and friends, devoted friend, Deacon Calvin (Dorothy) Griffin of Wagarville.

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