James Edward Williams

James Edward Williams, affectionately called Jimmy of Crowley, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 in Burleson, Texas. Funeral service will be held at Coker Funeral Home, 152 State Hwy 148, Jacksboro, Texas on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will one hour before the service at the funeral home. Graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro. Jimmy was born on October 3, 1933 to Edward Wilson Williams and Fannie Blackwell Williams in Ranger, Texas. He joined his eight-year-old sister Gloria and a baby brother; Billy Don was born eight years later. His father worked for Sinclair and the family moved to several towns and eventually located in Jacksboro when Jimmy was in the fifth grade. Jimmy graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1951 and was active in all sports and voted Senior Class Favorite. He attended North Texas University for a short time then returned to Jacksboro to be employed with the State of Texas Engineering Department as a bridge inspector. He married Lorraine Black on July 10, 1956 and they were blessed with two children, Eddy and Jennifer. The family was active in the First Baptist Church. Jimmy served in many positions in the church and was ordained a deacon in 1974. He played on the men’s softball and volleyball teams for many years. He served nine years in the Army National Guard Battery B as a Master Sergeant. Jimmy was transferred the Texas Department of Transportation District Office in Fort Worth in 1979. The family moved to Crowley, Texas and they became active in the First Baptist Church of Crowley. He retired from the State in 1985 and then worked for several road construction companies as a Marketing Representative. He loved playing golf and being Poppie to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and his wife enjoyed many happy times together. Probably his favorites were a cruise to Hawaii with his brother and his wife and a week in Washington D.C. as a guest of Tootsie Hughes. He recently received his Fifty-Year membership Certificate as a Master Mason. He was Past Worshipful Master of Fort Richardson Lodge No. 320 and Crowley Lodge No. 1437. He was a 32ne degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Past Commander of Godfrey Commandery, KYCH-2013 and Past District Deputy Grand Master, District 64B of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Jimmy was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron in both Jacksboro Chapter No. 390 and Crowley Chapter No. 1125. Jimmy was preceded in death by both his parents and his sister, Gloria Allen. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, of 64 years, son Eddy Williams and his wife Michelle of Fort Worth, daughter, Jennifer Ansel and her husband Fredrick Ansel of Tyler, Grandchildren, Caitlin Bush and husband Evan Lancaster, Sterling Bush and wife Kayla of Crowley, James (Jamie) Bush and Joseph Bush of Godley, Jeremy Ansel of Tyler, Siara Spencer and husband Chris of Tyler, C.J. Hughes and wife Jill, Great Grandchildren, Alyssa, Ayden and Ava Bush of Crowley, Layla, Willow, and Davey Lancaster of Tyler, Tyson, Mayson and Addison Spencer of Tyler and Nathan and Caden of Tyler, Brother, Billy Don Williams and wife Susie of Saginaw, Brother-in-Law, Bill Black and wife Barbara of China Springs, Sister-in-Law Shirley Johnson of Seymour and Sister-in-Law Beverly and Husband James Shoun of Jacksboro, several nieces and nephews and many friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association of charity of choice.

James Edward Williams

October 3, 1933 - April 6, 2021