Rev. Jimmy R. Williams, 74, of Wauchula, Fla. passed away peacefully at his home in the early hours on Saturday, September 11, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. Born May 9, 1936 in Hazelhurst, GA, he began an early career in the U.S. Army serving from 1953-1973 in the Aviation Division, retiring as Master Sergeant. His military career included four tours of duty overseas, Letters of Commendation, Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and numerous Good Conduct Medals, to name a few.
He and his family returned to Ozark, Ala. upon his retirement. While attending Chalkhead Baptist Church, he answered a call to preach God's Word. He graduated from Bible Baptist Institute in Graceville, Fla. in 1978. During this time he preached in several area churches and served as Pastor at Midway Baptist Church in Clayhatchee for the next 2 ½ years. The Williams family moved to Wauchula in Jan. 1979 where he served as pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church for 21 years. Upon retirement, he continued in service as Interim Pastor at several churches in Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee Counties and had served as Associate Pastor to Senior's at First Baptist Church of Bowling Green for the past seven years. During this time he also served in several positions within the Orange Blossom Ministerial Association, Hardee Help Center, chaplain for Hardee County Sheriff's Office, Board of Resthaven ALF, and camp director at Lake Denton Christian Camp in Avon Park.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia "Cindy" Williams; son, Jimmy "Jimbo" Williams, Jr. (Kim) of Wauchula; daughters, Terri Brown (Gil) of Wauchula, Tonya Albert (Bill) of Wesley Chapel, Fla, Dana Abbott (Ronnie) of Ft. Green, Fla; sisters, Grace Hoover (Rev. Richard) of Daytona, Fla, Evelyn Boseman of Sylacauga; 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Hunter Abbott.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 13th at First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, Fla. from 1-2 p.m., with funeral services at 2 p.m. Interment with Military Honors is at Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Ozark at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, 4531 N. U.S. Hwy 17, Bowling Green, FL 33834 or Hope Hospice, 4840 Sun 'N Lake Blvd., Sebring, FL 33872.