Mr. John usually had the better advantage over me as his wins lopsided me but there were those small victory moments where I could see the win within a few more moves. And when I could perform a three or four jump move which he overlooked, he would laugh about his failure and celebrate my victory. His purpose of playing checkers was for fellowship but he loved to make those he played against a better player. Mr. John never met a stranger…never! There was always a friendship to be had with anyone. Age didn’t matter, color didn’t matter, gender didn’t matter…if anyone entered his shadow, they received instant access to be called a friend of John Williams! I observed one of these moments he had with children on a choir trip as we all stopped in a restaurant for dinner. The groups were separated by adults and kids. Mr. John relished the time he could spend time with kids younger than himself.  He was sitting at the table with the kids and showing them magic tricks and telling them silly stories. He had all of them entertained and laughing. I sat and marveled as this elder man acted like a kid! I know the two of us will see each other again. I look forward to our reunion and seeing his body whole, healed and complete. It will be a wonderful eternal reunion. 

My life has been blessed with four fathers. My heavenly Father, my birth father, my father-in-law and then there’s John B. Williams. I came to know Mr. John when I joined First Baptist Church Baton Rouge in 1994. I was blessed to be part of the choir program and sang tenor. Mr. John also sang tenor and on many occasions we sat next to each other at rehearsal and Sunday worship services. The friendship continued to grow as I met his son Richard and thus began an instant friendship. On one Wednesday night rehearsal Mr. John asked if I could help him more furniture in his home one Saturday. I agreed and we spent the day moving furniture and pulling up carpet from the walls. At the end Mr. John said he wanted to pay me but I refused to accept it. He insisted several times but I told him the gift I received was a great workout and fellowship. This made our friendship stronger. As time progressed I saw the battle Mr. John went through with his back surgeries but celebrated on those occasions he would show up for Sunday worship as he was standing instead of using a wheelchair. But there’s a moment in our friendship which would bring our friendship even closer. I was blessed to be asked to serve as one of Mr. John’s weekend sitters. I had met many of his sitters over the years but never in my wildest imagination thought of myself serving in that capacity. I truly didn’t know what I was getting myself it but thankful I said, “yes…I can help serve.” Those years in service to Mr. John are God bookmarked moments He used two brothers to minister to each other. I helped him on the physical part which his body was limited and Mr. John encouraged me to better use the gift of service. There are so many conversations, so many road trips in his wheelchair accessible van, several moments of Mr. John getting getting his wheelchair stuck in the yard and tons of checkers games played. 

When we wanted to learn an instrument, he did too.  When I wanted to learn viola and violin, he bought a violin and wanted to learn.  His teacher was a retired violinist from the Baton Rouge Symphony who would sometimes doze off during his lessons.  He would brag that his playing was so beautiful that it lulled the teacher to sleep.  (ha ha :)
We had many dogs growing up.  With our lab, Buck, he would run 5 miles a night. When Buck got older and couldn’t go very far, not wanting to hurt his feelings, he would take him a mile or so, and then sneak back out to finish his run after Buck laid down to rest inside.  He loved all of our dogs so much and they brought wonderful love and companionship, and especially Goldie in his later years.  
He was a fun grandad, or “Pa pa”, to his grandkids, always willing to play on the floor or be silly, until his body wouldn’t physically allow him to do so anymore.  Mary would play checkers with him, and when he would win, he would explain to her how she could have won or gotten around tricky moves.  Sometimes he would fall asleep and she would have to say “Papa, it’s your turn” to wake him up.
In a letter written to him and his brother, my grandfather encouraged them to always let Christ be their guide so they would have happy Christian lives.  He also wanted them to marry good Christian women so they would raise kids in Christ because he wanted to see his grandkids in heaven some day.  An important instruction was to spend time with their children because nothing else could take the place of how important time with their dad was growing up.  Paw Paw, don’t worry, he did a good job and we always knew how much he loved us. We know he’s with you and Nanny in heaven and that we will see you all in heaven again some day.  


Our dad was a good daddy.  “Wheat hunny” always provided for whatever we needed, from practical things to non-practical fun things, like vacations to Rocky Mountain national Park, ski trips with the Woodards, camping trips to the Smoky mountains, trips to the beach, and many others.  He always liked to have fun and loved jokes – I think he got that from his dad, our “Paw paw” as we called him.  He was country at heart, having grown up in the small town of Colfax.  Once when he was younger, there was a float contest for the Pecan festival parade, with a prize of $10 for 3rd place.  There were only 2 floats entered, so he and a friend were going to decorate his dad’s truck with crepe paper and enter it into the contest to win the $10.  His dad found out and stopped them from entering, not wanting them to embarrass themselves (and I’m sure he said this with a giggle and a grin).  We always had fun at the pecan festival, and he was always willing to ride the crazy rides with us and eat raw sugar cane.  Some of the funnest times in Colfax were riding boxes down the levee – we always knew how to make them go fast!
When we were little and couldn’t go to sleep, he would make up stories, almost always with a squirrel or two as a main character.  He built the club house in the backyard for us to play in, and even moved it from one house to the next, towing it on wooden rails.  I’m sure yall can picture it now...
When we were in high school, he would play spotlight (flashlight tag) with us and our friends in the youth group at church, often never being found because he was hiding under the bateau, or in, or under something obscure, sometimes jumping out to scare people running by.


Dad was the best father, husband, friend, man of God, role model, and example of love and character that we could have hoped or dreamed for as a father.  He loved us unconditionally and was a true example of Godly character.  Our childhood was happy and fun and he always made time for us.  We had wonderful family vacations, camping trips, evening swims and bike rides, and all sorts of fun adventures.  Ever mindful of healthy eating and exercise, his loving nickname to us was “Wheat Hunny”.  Our family prayed together, had nightly dinner together, worshiped God together and laughed together.  Dad supported us in all we did and guided us in our lives, relationships, education, and work.  He was involved in Y Indian Guides, Scouting, church and school activities, mission trips and other parts of our lives.  As a lawyer, he was an example to me of how to work and represent clients as a model of legal integrity.   He helped so many people in so many ways and was loved greatly by many.  
I will miss him greatly, but I know that he is at peace now with God in Heaven.  Dad was a man of faith.  John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.  Dad believed in God and Jesus as his Savior and is now living eternally.  Praise God for that assurance.  And prayers to God for our comfort and peace here on earth as we miss our dad and husband and friend.  


I knew John and Gretchen when I attended FBC and will remember his winning smile and gentle spirit of serving.
May Gretchen, Richard and Cynthia and the family feel the love and prayers of his many friends.

You Dad is in some of my favorite memories. Loved him. I will miss him. Hugs.

My fondest memories of John are of his role as my scoutmaster for troop three. He had such an infectious way of sharing his love for the outdoors that I still carry to this day.

I have many memories of John at First Baptist-Baton Rouge. John & Gretchen were among the first people I met when I started attending FBC 30+ years ago. I always enjoyed conversations with John who always seemed to have a story about any topic. Praying for peace and comfort to all the Williams family.

I´m so sorry for your loss. Mr. John will be missed. He was one of the reasons why I wanted to become a lawyer. Later, when I graduated from law school, he bought me a name plaque that has always sat on my desk at work. I will always treasure it and remember him when I see it.

I will forever be grateful that John made a phone call to me about a newborn baby girl that needed a home. God had laid our names on his heart. That was 30 years ago and it has been the blessing of our lives thanks to John Williams.

John B. Williams was a man that lived life and displayed all of the fruits of the spirit but especially: Joy, because he always wanted to make the people in his world laugh and feel happy. Goodness/,kindness because he was always trying to help people better their life situation. Also, and most importantly, faithfulness. John was truly a committed Christian and a faithful believer. He lived what he believed and did all he could do to help his fellow man. I miss him, but know that he is with our Lord.

John will always hold
A very special place in my heart...he was a dear friend that always had the biggest smile to greet you! His smile and stories were the best..... and he always told me that he was my biggest fan.... Oh how that meant so much! Thank you Mr John for your kindness and support. To Mrs Gretchen, Richard, Cynthia, Stephen and families... thank your for sharing John with us here on earth! Heaven gained a sweet soul and we will see him again one day in glory!

John & Gretchen's home was like a second home for me. John always had a funny story or something interesting to tell me. He usually greeted me at the door with a clarinet and wanted me to play it. Then there's the cuckoo clock. The loud, annoying cuckoo clock! He always wanted to catch me off guard with 'the clap'. His sense of humor will be missed. We love you all!

John was a blessing to us and a joy to spend time with on our visits to Baton Rouge.
God brought our families together some 30 years ago through a visit by Richard to Australia. We have been truly blessed to spend time with John and Grechen in their home in Baton Rouge and time with Richard, Cynthia and Aaron, Mary and Hayley. While we will miss John´s presence we can be thankful that he is now safe in the arms of Jesus.
God Bless you Grechen and family

" Your word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you." What an amazing encouragement John always was to us and the ministry of Scripture Memory Fellowship!

His friendship with my dad, Dr N.A. Woychuk, goes back to John´s boyhood days when he came to one of the very first camps of Bible Memory Association near Ringgold, LA. He and his family served and gave sacrificially to see to it that many more boys and girls could memorize God´s word and come to camp.

In his later years, he served faithfully as a board member and friend, sometimes driving many miles to lend his encouragement at the board meetings. At those meetings, his fervent heart for God`s word, and joy in serving continued to be evident.

As he now enjoys fellowship with the Lord, and great joy, we will be praying for you all as you miss him!
"And that from childhood, you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3.15-17.

You will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Mr John was a fine man. As I write this I laugh at all the crazy things that man did. He was a hoot. Take comfort in knowing he is home now with Jesus. It´s never easy and it´s a void that never goes away. I will always treasure those special, crazy memories.

Condolences on your loss may the Lord comfort you in the days to come.

He was good person with a wonderful smile! May you always smile and have wonderful memories.

Please accept out deepest condolences in the loss of your father and husband. May God give you comfort and strength during this time of grief. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Heartfelt condolences to the Williams Family.

Father, we thank you for the wonderful life of John B. Williams. A life lived to the fullest. A gentleman who most certainly loved all people and was willing to befriend strangers to bring them into his life and call them...a friend. He put the scriptures into practice by living out the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Oh how perfect it is that our dear friend had the wonderful name of.....John.

We thank you Lord that no matter what we face in life, you alone are our Refuge,
our Strong Tower,
our Defender,
and our Peace.
You are on the throne, you are in control, and nothing can ever stand against you. For you alone have won the final victory.

Father, our hearts are grieving with the Williams family. I pray You would become their strength in this time of loss,
their hope in this time of bereavement,
their joy in this time of sorrow,
and their perfect peace in the turmoil their hearts are facing. Not having his daily presence in their lives will be difficult so help all of them to recall in the days ahead memories of the love he had for his precious family.

In this service we celebrate John Williams a much-beloved husband, father, faithful servant and brother in Christ. And without a doubt the best dog-gone Checkers player I´ve ever played against. We celebrate a life well lived because he loved your son Jesus Christ.

Thank you, God, that you are surely with us...thank you that you care...thank you that your Presence is close...and that you weep with those who weep. We need you. We know and believe beyond any doubt, that your power and love will never fail. You never failed your precious servant and we thank you for the wonderful life lived by our dear friend John Williams.

In Jesus' Almighty Name above all Names,

Amen.

Mr. Williams was always one of youth group dads! As one of Richard´s friends I had the joy of spending a lot of time in their house as one of their "kids". Movies, board games, and time just talking and laughing. He always had a funny story or joke to tell. Playing "spotlight" in the back yard and trying to sneak up on us... all the time being a kid at heart! I have wonderful memories of my time with Richard and his mom and dad... always loved and cared for like one of their own.

Gretchen and family, You are in my daily prayers. May God grant you peace, courage, and joy in the days ahead. We know John is now with his Lord and Savior.

John was always a blessing when I spoke with him on the phone. Please know that the staff at Scripture Memory Fellowship is praying for your family in this time of loss. We look forward to our heavenly reunion with John in the presence of our Lord!

Richard, my deepest sympathy to you, your mother and all of your family on your father's passing. It has been very moving to hear the many heartfelt tributes to him. You honored him with great love and care during his life. I know you will continue to honor him by living life to the fullest, as he did.

To the WIlliams Family:
I am sorry for your loss. I shared office space in Baton Rouge with Mr. Williams from 1996 until 2001. He was a fine man, and a good attorney. You have my deepest sympathies.

May God grant you Pease & Comfort during this difficult time. Our prays are with you. Connie & Rick Moore.

So sorry for your loss. He was a sweet, funny man. We always enjoyed spending time with him, Gretchen and Richard when they visited Plano for New Year's or a birthday party. While we know you are grieving, take comfort in that he is now enjoying his heavenly home.

OBITUARY

John Bearden Williams

17 October, 1936 – 29 May, 2023

Greenoaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services