John Williams, Jr.

                                    His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

                        Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over

                        many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

                                                 Matthew 25:21

John Williams, Jr. was born on August 3, 1927 to the late John Williams, Sr. and Lucinda Coleman in Asheville, N.C.  He was also preceded in death by his ten year old sister Mable.

John graduated from Stephens Lee high school in 1944. He went on to join the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge after fighting bravely in the Korean War. He returned to the United States and enrolled at Florida A&M University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.      

During this time John met the love of his life, the late Barbara Young Williams. They were married on September 14, 1950 and into this union three children were born.

Returning to Asheville, John became the first African-American to direct youth programs at the local YMCA for black children. He had a heart and desire to instill leadership skills and team building to prepare young people for a brighter future. He continued to work with youth when he became a Shelter Director for troubled youth in Morristown, New Jersey and subsequently went on to become Unit Director of the Boy’s Club in Newark, New Jersey. He later received an offer to become the Unit Director in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Under his leadership in 1974, the Boy’s Club won the Youth of the Year Award. John was invited to the White House with the youth to meet President Gerald Ford. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1986.

After his retirement, John and his wife moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be near their oldest daughter. Full of energy and excitement, John was hired as the Meals on Wheels Coordinator for Senior Citizen Services in Metro Atlanta. He became very active in the community and was a member and Deacon at the Saint Stephen’s Missionary Baptist Church in East Point, Georgia.

John was blessed throughout his life with many gifts and talents. He was outgoing, always willing to help others and could do just about anything he set his mind to do; from building a go-kart for his son as a little boy, to creating the most elaborate school projects for his children that were sure to earn them an exceptional grade. He had undeniable architectural skills. He could draw up plans and build a room according to those specifications. John could do all kinds of home improvements and repairs in other words he was a “jack of all trades.” He started a photography business taking pictures of graduations, weddings and family reunions. He was also an excellent grill master.

John will always be remembered for enjoying people and having a lot to offer to his fellow man.

John moved to Orange Park, Florida in August 2013 after his wife passed to be near his middle daughter, who faithfully cared for him. Upon moving to Orange Park, he joined Saint James A.M.E. Church where he became an active member. He resided at Brookdale Senior Living and remained there until he entered Heartland Nursing Home

in January of this year under Hospice Care. John entered into external rest on March 2, 2020.

He is survived by his three children, Mrs. Brenda Holloway, Mrs. Jacqueline Hunter (Kenneth), Deacon Charles Williams (Cherlyn); 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 13, 2020 at St. James A.M.E. Church with Rev. Dr. Alesia Ford Burse presiding.  Military honors will be given at the church service.  The graveside interment of his urn will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, April 3, 2020 at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

    Acknowledgements

Our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the St. James A.M.E. Church family and friends. A special thank you to Vitas Hospice and Brookdale Senior Living staff for all acts of kindness and support during our time of bereavement. Your thoughtfulness has meant so much to us.

                                         The family of the late……

                                             John Williams, Jr.

                                              Special thanks to…..

                                         Broadus Raines Funeral Home