Joseph P. Williams

J. P. Williams left this earth on a Thursday, sun shining, blue skies, and active squirrels. His kind of day. He was friendly with all animals, sharing his life with many dogs, adopting a stray cat, and feeding deer, birds, and who-knows-what at night. Along with animal watching from a chosen position in his music room, he enjoyed satisfying his curiosity of things like roaming pickers’ and flea markets, and simple things like sitting on porches. His music was old country, ancient now, but his kind of music he heard as a kid. Names, some still known, many not. His collection, enhanced greatly from days with the pickers, allowed many hours of entertainment. And he would show off the latest music miracle, the enhanced electronics from his Alexa.

J. P. had earned this free time. His profession was in the meat business. He was dependable and dedicated, traits that were required when he was earning a living. When daily work was done, he brought his money and himself home, raising four children. Sue (Bill) Chappell, Joe (Debbie, deceased) Williams, Rita (Mike) Hinkle, and Kathy (Rick) Stafford, survive their daddy. They were there at the end, providing for him at his home, for the final two years, and his final day.

Although sad, the family shared valuable hours as time faded. Much of the past had been captured on old 8mm reels, later collected digitally. J. P. loved playing that DVD and watching his younger family enjoying vacations and special occasions. It ran continuously on some days. And there were stories told of people and times, all gone by, yet stored well in his memory, which he enjoyed sharing.

There was a time in life where Weiss Lake provided an escape and days were spent outdoors. Vacations included Wisconsin lakes, near where family coaxed them to visit, and where the outdoors life suited him most. Gardening until his early 80’s gave him joy to share his crop with family and friends.

J. P. and his collection of hats, will be missed, by many. The grandchildren include Joe Ray Williams, Kim McGivern, Lauren James, Jeff Stafford, Amy Smith, Lindsey Durie, Kristen Dykes, and Shea Kennedy along with 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. J. P., an only child, was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Parker Williams, his father, Chess Williams, another outdoorsman, and his mother Pearl McCrary Williams, a sweet-spirited soul to all and soul-mate to Chess. After Chess passed, J. P. cared for Pearl as she had cared for him. And so, a good man has put in his time, rarely complaining, finding joy in the day, good-spirited, like his mama, for a long time (93 years).

Grandsons, Joe Ray Williams, Jeff Stafford, and great-grandsons Ryan Smith, Sawyer James, Drew Dykes, and Peyton Kennedy will serve as pallbearers.

The family is grateful for the care J. P. received from Sharman Woods, Rayshundra Wingfield, Clint Moon (ExpectCare) and Virginia Gowdy (In Good Hands Care)

Services for J.P. will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, Gardendale, AL, with a time of visitation to begin at 1:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. J.P. will be laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Gardens, Gardendale, AL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Williams family.