James "Jimmy" Williams Sr.

James Earl Williams, Sr. was born in Roseboro, NC on January 27, 1948 to the late Ella Thompson Williams and George Roger Williams, Sr. He transitioned on Saturday, October 24, 2020 in his home in Roseboro.  He was affectionately known by all as “Jimmy” but to others he was known as “JW love man, 6-6, 255 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal“. 

Jimmy graduated from Charles E. Perry High School in the Class of 1966. While at Charles E. Perry, Jimmy played on the Raiders basketball team.  After graduation, he enrolled in Sampson Technical Institute (now known as Sampson Community College).  Jimmy was the first graduating class of 1967.  He earned his certification in Electrical Maintenance and Installation. As a certified electrician, he worked for several electrical companies in Cumberland County before being hired full time with Sampson County Department of Corrections in the Laundry as the maintenance electrician where he remained for five years until relocating to South Gate and Cudahy, California. While in California, he was employed with Purex Industries as a Journeyman Electrician.  After spending 9 years in California, Jimmy returned to Durham, North Carolina, and later permanently residing in Clayton, where he was employed with AAA Electric Company in Raleigh, as a Journeyman Electrician. In this role, he traveled throughout the State of North Carolina and internationally performing contract work that included installing Bakers Aid ovens in Food Lions (in Clinton, and Nashville, TN just to name a few).  He performed these and other tedious electrical jobs until he was no longer able to work in this capacity.  He reluctantly retired in 2000, but continued to perform small jobs around home.  Needless to say, He was the Best of the Best!!

Jimmy was a faithful member of Sam's Springs A. M. E. Zion Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T. R Singletary.  He served as a class leader, Sunday School teacher, member of the Senior Choir, and he along with his mother, the late Ella T. Williams, started the first prayer meeting/bible study, where he was the teacher.  Jimmy always said “Instead of only reading the scripture verse, we should read the verse before and the verse after; better still, read the whole chapter. Add nothing nor take away anything from the word.”  Finally, Jimmy had a love of singing.  He traveled throughout the southeast with the Ella Williams Singers.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents Rev. George Roger Williams, Sr. and Ella Meade Thompson Williams; brothers: Jerry Lee Williams, George Roger Williams, Jr. and David Lee Michael Thompson. Grandparents: John C. and Bessie Williams, and Rev. George A. and Rosa B. Thompson. Grandsons: Cameron Williams and Jacob Caldwell, and one nephew: Rev. Jeffery L. Hasty. 

Jimmy leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his wife, Marilyn Kelley Williams of the home; mother-in-law, Ethel Kelley, NJ; two sons, James Earl Williams, Jr. (Freda), and George Roger Williams, III (Nicole), both of Fayetteville; three stepsons: Robert Kelley, NJ, James Earl Reid, Washington State, and Christopher Kelley, NC;  two daughters, Sabrena C. Murphy (Parsell, Sr.) and LaRonda W. Caldwell (Travis) both of Roseboro; and two step daughters; Cheryl Mitchell (Johnny), PA; and Nicole Mathews (Mark), GA;  two sisters, Ellean M. Williamson and Brenda J. Williams of Roseboro; one brother, Bernie Thompson, VA; three sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law; one aunt, Lula Belle Miller, Roseboro; two nieces he raised as daughters, Dr. Bettina Robinson (Dr. John),TN; and Ciji M. Williamson, Roseboro; one nephew; Earl Melvin and three great nephews, J’Lynn W. Williamson, Roseboro, Jerome Thompson, and John T. Robinson, III, TN; four great nieces: Aimee A. and Maya D. Robinson, TN, and Ebonique Stanford (Mark), Hope Mills, and Dominique Thompson; one great great niece, Caryngton, NC,  33 grandchildren,10 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside Service will be held Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Roseboro Cemetery in Roseboro, NC. 

Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at Butler & Son Funeral Home, Inc. in Roseboro, NC. 

*Masks are required* 

Services will be live-streamed through Butler & Son Funeral Home Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/butlerandsonfuneralhome/

Butler & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 

Roseboro, NC 

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