James "Leo" Williams

James “Leo” Williams, 91, of Evansville, passed away Friday, September 14, 2012, at Deaconess Hospital, on his wife, Betty Jo’s birthday. He was born October 25, 1920, in Dixon County, TN. Leo was employed for more than 40 years as a supervisor for International Steel. After his retirement, he became a bus driver for Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. He retired from there in early 2004, before the death of his wife. He was a veteran of WW II and the Korean War. He served as a petty officer in the Navy during WWII and was an army reservist during the Korean War. After the wars he became a VFW affiliate and life member of Post #1114. Besides loving his country, he had a strong faith in the Lord and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church. Leo truly enjoyed driving a school bus and being with the children and all of his friends. He did the bus rodeo many times and won several awards. Leo was a very organized man and loved his garden, mowing, and taking care of his house for over 50 years. He enjoyed watching football and following the local team, Reitz High School. He was an intelligent man and was barking out orders to the very end. He is survived by his daughters, Carole (James) Lottes Nevins of Surgeon Bay, WI and Cathy (John) Besing of Cleveland, TN; two grandchildren, James Lottes (Laura) of Dubuque, IA and April Besing of New York, NY; and a special friend, Phyllis Atwood of Evansville. Services will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Mark Lowe, with burial in Alexander Memorial Park. A military graveside service will be held with Taps being played by his nephew, Lonnie Moit. Friends may visit Monday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM and Tuesday from 11:00 am until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL, 60674. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.