James "Jim" M. Williams

James M. "Jim" Williams (90) passed away on May 26, 2024, at Vitality Living in Elizabethtown. He was born on November 12, 1933 in the St. John community west of Elizabethtown, KY, where he lived his entire life.

He graduated from Rineyville High School and faithfully served our country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, including a deployment in Japan. During his military service, Jim stayed in constant communication via letter with the love of his life, Shirley Yates. He was determined to marry her -and he did. Jim and Shirley were wed upon his return and were married for 63 years until her passing in 2020

Jim was no stranger to hard work, a toolbox and pair of boots. He worked for the Jenkins-Essex Company for 42 years as an expeditor/coordinator managing the kitchen cabinet and appliance division and later managing the package home sales. In his later working years, he returned to the retail floor selling paint, windows and doors. Jim was also a life-long cattle farmer raising various breeds and was active in the Cattlemen's Association. He loved his farm, which he called "God's country", old western movies and TV shows, a bowl of ice cream and UK basketball.

Jim had a personality as strong as his hands and rarely met a stranger. Doing a job once and the right way was one of his passions.

Jim was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde V. and Laetitia (Peake) Williams, his brothers Fred and David Williams, his sisters Gayle Whalen and Doris Jean Bailey, his wife, Shirley C. (Yates) Williams, son, Gregory K. Williams and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Wiseman and Dude Bailey.

He is survived by his sisters, Martha Wiseman, Rineyville, KY and Joyce Champlin (Lewis), Indianola, IA, daughter, Monica L. (Bill) Parris, New Albany, IN, granddaughter, Katie Williams, Greenwood, IN, and grandsons, Grant Parris, Florence, KY and Clay Parris (Sarah), Corydon, IN, daughter-in-law, Diana Williams, Greenwood, IN, sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Williams, St. John, KY, brother-in-law, Freddie Whalen, Flaherty, KY, special friends, Steve & Sandi Brangers and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM and continue after 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

A funeral Mass and burial will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.