James Morgan Williams

Jim spent his childhood in Baltimore, MD where he was graduated from City High School in 1946. Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Staff Sargeant. He earned Rifleman Sharpshooter Status and received the Good Conduct Medal. He was posted at Camp Lejeune, NC and Marine Corps Barracks Washington DC. Following an Honorable Discharge from the US Marine Corps in 1952, Jim entered Ben Franklin University in Washington DC and studied business and accounting.

At the same time Jim began a 27 year career with NCR Corporation (then known as National Cash Register). Jim was a successful Account Executive managing national accounts like Marriott for the majority of his career with NCR. He and the family resided in Vienna, VA where he was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel and a member of Chantilly National Country Club. Jim loved spending weekends on the beach in Ocean City, MD where the family resided every summer. A life-long sports fan, Jim enjoyed rooting for the Baltimore Colts and Washington Redskins. He was always attending his children and grandchildren’s active sporting events and never missed a game.

In 1979 Jim joined MCR in Alexandria, VA. The following year he was named President of MCR Corporation of South Florida. Relocating to Boca Raton, he and Clair fulfilled a dream of living in Florida and spent many sun filled days on the beaches. During retirement Jim was an active volunteer at West Boca Medical Center. He loved spending time with his four kids, nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Surviving Jim is his loving wife Clair of 61 years, his son J. Michael Williams (wife Mary Ellen) of Reston, VA, son David M. Williams (wife Mary Ann) of Lakeridge, VA, son Thomas S. Williams (wife Grace) of Boca Raton, FL, His daughter Brigid Ann Hugh (husband Phil) of Ft Myers, FL. His Grandchildren Meghan Williams Blauch (Justin) of Palm Harbor, FL, Courtney Williams of Tampa, Fl, Nicole Williams Rhea (Jim) of Arlington, VA, Kelly Williams of Lakeridge, VA, Casey Williams of Lakeridge, VA, Tom Williams of Austin, TX, LT Charlotte Williams of Emerald Isle, NC, Colleen Williams of Tallahassee, FL, Jessica Peterson Creve Coeur, MO. Great Grandchildren Michael C. Blauch and David A Rhea.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 370 SW 3rd St, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 9:45 A.M. on Monday, February 15, 2016 at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL

Eulogy

I’m speaking today on behalf of my brothers and sister…Dave, Tom and Brigid.

Each of us has passed 50 years of life and one of us 60. I share this because we are constantly reminded and oh so grateful… that at our age…. we had both our parents with us…all our lives until Dad left us Wednesday.

Over the last several days each of us have received so many kind notes, calls and messages expressing condolences and sympathy for our Dad. The sheer volume of responses underscores the impact our dad had on so many lives. I cannot remember one person who wasn’t won over by his charm. He was always the consummate gentleman. Always the father….always our friend.

In the days to come we will remember and experience so many things that will remind us of Dad. Sometimes there will be a tear or two but as the days go on, those remembrances of Dad will bring smiles, or laughter or a roll of the eyes.

For he loved us kids….us boys in his own very special and sincere ways. When our mother graced him with a beautiful daughter, his life was complete. As we grew and chose our own spouses, Dad graciously welcomed three daughters in law and a son in law… and Dad’s family grew. Each knew the warmth of his smile and embrace as you four entered our clan. The fun continued as we watched Dad glow all over again as his nine grandkids came into the world….eight girls and one boy all of whom he was so proud and loved so very much. Dad was fortunate enough to see the circle of life turn yet again…. through the eyes of their two great grandsons…each two years old… born weeks apart….aptly named for the two sons he named so long ago.

Each of us will carry our own personal memories of Dad….he had the uncanny ability to dress you down with just …The Look. Us kids at times, got careless and forgot we were dealing with a former US Marine Corps Sargeant. …God help us when we did! As we played sports, broke bones, wrecked cars, caused mischief and upset the nuns, brothers and priests who struggled to impart knowledge upon us, we always knew Dad would be there for us….never missing a game or cheerleading event with Brigid Ann and always taking our side first…always supporting us.

Dad…we had a blessed childhood that none of us would trade for a fortune. You taught us honesty, integrity, loyalty and love. No son or daughter could ask for more from their father.

No one will miss him more than our mother. Dad and Mom shared 61 loving years of marriage raising us kids. The very best present Dad gave us kids was an unwavering love for his wife, our Mom. Each of us has promised Dad that we will look after you. And so we will….only hoping we can do so half as well as Dad.

Our Dad has a bit of Irish in his blood and each of us kids has enjoyed the toasts he would give at family gatherings. We will remember fondly….the Donut Toast. Present surroundings and decorum preclude me from sharing the rest of the story.

And so it is fitting that I end with a bit of the Blarney…for our Dad who we love so much.

From an Irish Tombstone….the Author Unknown

We've known a lot of pleasure,

At times endured the pain,

We've lived in the sunshine,

And walked in the rain,

But now we're separated,

And for a time apart,

But we are not alone-

You're forever in our heart.