Joel Thomas Williams, Jr.

Joel T. Williams, Jr., age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2015, surrounded by his large and loving family. A native Dallasite, Joel was born on September 14, 1920, one of four children of Joel T. and Bessie Cobb Williams. Joel grew up with his brother and two sisters in east Dallas and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. He distinguished himself early as an athlete, formed lifetime friendships with his teammates, especially the linemen who he says made him look good, and was known by his teammates as Crazy Legs Williams. After high school he attended Baylor University where he played baseball on an athletic scholarship until he enlisted in the Navy to join the war effort. Like so many of his generation, Joel learned about responsibility and taking care of others as a very young man. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander, was deployed to the Pacific, and was given command of a submarine chaser at age 25, with responsibility for the lives and well being of his crew.

In 1943, while stationed in Pensacola, Florida, Joel married his high school sweetheart, Marguerite Landrum. He completed his college education while in the Navy, returned to Dallas after the war, and earned his law degree from SMU while he and Marguerite began their family life with the birth of Joel T. Williams III and Jan Williams Graham. While in law school, Joel began working in the savings and loan industry, launching a long and successful career in banking and finance. He was a natural leader and rose to become Chairman of Texas Federal Savings and Loan, and served on numerous corporate boards throughout his career.

Joel’s life was not without hardship. His beloved wife, Marguerite, died of cancer in 1962. In 1967, Joel married the second love of his life, Betty Lu Slaughter Perryman, expanding the family he so loved with a devoted daughter, Linda Perryman Evans, and son, Walter Lewis Perryman, III.

Joel’s life was characterized by his early years. He never forgot his humble beginnings in east Dallas, or the grave responsibilities of wartime leadership that shaped a lifelong dedication to his fellow man. His many friends came from all walks of life. From those at the pinnacle of success to those in need, he engendered the friendship of all.

Joel was strongly civic-minded, with longstanding service on the City of Dallas Park Board, the Dallas Arboretum Board, the Salvation Army Board, the Goodwill Industries Board, serving as executive chairman of the Constantine Foundation for 44 years, and serving on the Executive Committee of the State Fair of Texas until his death. He was a longtime member of the Salesmanship Club, a city councilman and former mayor of University Park, a past president of Dallas Country Club, and a founding member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church.

But Joel’s generosity extended far beyond his service through organizations. He devoted his time, wisdom and resources in the quiet service of many in need. One of the great joys in his later years was delivering Meals on Wheels, providing assistance to many people known and unknown to him. If someone was new to the neighborhood, he would be the first to deliver food and welcome them to the area.

He was a teacher, mentor and counselor to many. From the many teenagers he taught with great patience to drive his standard-shift 50’s era Willis Jeep, to countless young men and women who sought his advice on any range of subjects, whether it be career, family, investments, or how to buy a house, plant a garden or make a soufflé. For those who lost loved ones, he provided support and guidance to help them rebuild their lives. He never missed a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of those he loved, or to hold them up in challenging times. He lived his life an example to others, and as a servant-leader to all who knew him.

One of Joel’s greatest lessons to those who knew him was his resilience. He never dwelled on his losses – he adapted. As a single parent raising young teenagers he had many bases to cover, but he did not neglect his friends. In later life he once commented that the best investment he ever made was the investment of his time in relationships with people. In the last few years of his life, Joel lost the use of his legs. But rather than constricting his activities, he just focused more on what he could do. With the help of his devoted caregivers, he continued to host dinner parties for friends until a week before his death, he grew his own herbs, he planted his own vegetable garden, he directed the cooking in his kitchen, he sat and talked with his family and his friends, and the list goes on. He always had a project. He taught all of those around him how to live life to the fullest with what we have, and to move beyond what we have lost. Now in heaven, we know that Crazy Legs Williams is still using all that is available to him and we will live forever in awe of his legacy.

In addition to his two beloved wives, Joel is predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert and wife Betty, his sister Mary Elizabeth Hinckley and husband Doug, his sister Francis Anderson and husband Weldon. He is survived by his four children, Joel T. Williams, III and wife Susan; Jan Graham and husband David; Linda Perryman Evans; and Lewis Perryman; and by his granddaughters Marguerite Graham; Lindsay Graham; Katie Walters and husband Nathan; Laura Chavoya and husband Brandon; and Jennifer Williams; and by seven great grandchildren. He will be missed by his brother- and sister-in-law, Jack and Gloria Hammack, numerous nieces and nephews, and many special friends including, Cathy Ganci, Nadine Anderson and many dear friends at Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Carrie Carter for compassionate care and Yezna Ayele, Fikerte Beshah, Pius Okath and Faith Odoyo for their loving support in recent years.

A celebration of Joel’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, TX 75219. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the Dallas Arboretum, Park Cities Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.