James E. "Jimmy" Williams

James E. "Jimmy" Williams, 88, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday, August 4, 2015. He was born October 23, 1926 in Round Pond, Arkansas, son of Walter P. and Letha Bain Williams. Mr. Williams was reared and received his early education in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, graduating from Brinkley High School. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he moved back to Arkansas. Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor's Degree from Arkansas State Teacher's College (now University of Central Arkansas). He coached basketball and taught school at White Hall High School for several years. Coach Williams was inducted into the White Hall Sports Hall of Fame as an inaugural member in 2008 for his outstanding coaching. Mr. Williams later worked for Tri-State Mill Supply and later retired from Fox Brothers as their General Manager. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Mr. Williams was very active in the Pine Bluff Lions Club, serving as president twice. He was also an avid golfer and member of Rosswood Country Club for many years. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Beatrice Odell Brady, Mildred Belle Maury, Mable Inez Brown, Ruby Bernice Bowman, Elizabeth Wardine "Jackie" Williams and Martha Ethlyene "Boots" Rea; and four brothers, Donald Lewis Williams, Jerry Carl Williams, Walter Presley Williams and Cecil Bernard Williams. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Jane Caperton Williams, whom he married July 20, 1952 in Pine Bluff; two daughters, Jimmibeth Hankins of Katy, Texas and Wallis Anne Baud of League City, Texas; sister, India Lorene Downs of Fletcher, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Taylor Hankins, Lauren Hankins Weber, Brooke Hankins, William Baud, Rachel Baud and Blane Baud; and a great-grandchild, Judah Hankins. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend Kenneth Thornton officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Robinson's. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.