Jessie Leo Williams Sr.

Jessie is survived by three children: Jessie (Betty) Williams, Jr., Betty (Brad) Elmore, and Angie Williams. Jessie is also survived by four grandchildren; Traci (Michael) Barnett, Kimberly (Michael) Pugh, Bobby Sylvester and Jonathan Sylvester; And nine great grandchildren: Shelby Barnett, Brady Barnett, William Pugh, Benjamin Pugh, Canaan Sylvester, Noah Sylvester, Alysia Sylvester, Maylah Sylvester and Caleb Sylvester. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 63 years, Bobbie and his youngest grandson, Marcus Sylvester. Jessie was from a large family and had four sisters and two brothers who preceded him in death: Eulene (Sam) Lee, Augusta (Steve) Berry, Estelle (Ed) McLean, Ruth (Harvey) Lee; Norris (Francis) Williams and Buford (Juanita) Williams.

Proverbs 17:6 — Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Jessie was loved by his family and friends and was liked by everyone he was in contact with. He always had peppermints in his pockets for his grandchildren and he would hand them out and strike up a conversation everywhere he went. He was a dedicated, faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather. But more than anything...he loved the Lord Jesus Christ and his service in the ministry. He served as a deacon at Blount Springs Baptist Church for many years and was ordained there when God called him into the ministry. He preached at several churches, officiated at funerals and a few weddings. He, Mom and several others went regularly to minister to the men at the Jimmie Hale Mission for years. He ministered at the Royal Pines center and reestablished broken fellowship in several area churches. This is just a partial list. His joy was to serve.

Matthew 5:9 — Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Jessie served in the Army as an engineer in the Korean War where he rose to the rank of Sargent and was a Bronze Star recipient. They were very close to the battle and his job was to build bridges and take them down.

Even as a young man he showed his kindness during his campaign by aiding an orphan boy. He and his tent mates allowed the young boy to share their tent and fed him from their rations. He only spoke of this during his later years saying he wanted to bring him to the states but wasn’t allowed to and that he always wondered what had become of him. After returning from the war and getting married, Jessie worked for Williams Machine and Welding Co. for several years. Then he established his own business which he ran for fifteen years, building a good relationship with his customers through his hard work and kindness. He then returned to Williams Machine where he remained until he retired. He then continued working part-time in his own small repair business until age 86. After he totally retired he often spoke of missing his customers and wishing he could return back to work.

He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He gave away many of the vegetables when they came in abundantly.

I Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love sufferers long, and is kind; Love envies not; Love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, endures all things. Love never fails!