James Elton Williams

James Elton Williams, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 2, 2005. Today is a happy day for James, his struggle with cancer has ended and he’s together again with his loving wife, Mildred, who preceded him in death in 2002. Together they will spend eternity in Heaven. But today is a sad day for his many friends and family that love him so much. His friendly smile and warm conversation will be missed. He never met a stranger.

James was born Aug. 21, 1925 in Newton County, Texas in a small farming community known as Mill Creek (near Burkeville). He was the oldest child of George and Belle (Smith) Williams and lived there during childhood with younger brother, Carl. James attended Friendship Baptist Church and was baptized near there as a child. He grew up doing farm work.

At 17, he left home and joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the USN Hospital Corps as a Pharmacist’s Mate and was discharged in 1946 at the rank of petty officer 3rd class. He spent most of his time during the war at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego. He had fond memories of this time and spoke about it often.

Known by many as “Willie”, he graduated from Tyler Commercial College in 1948 as a radio engineer and worked for radio station KLUF in Galveston for several years before joining radio station KTRH in Houston where he worked for 37 years before retiring in 1987. He worked at the radio transmitter in Chambers County and later near Dayton, Texas. While living in Galveston he met Mildred on a blind date arranged by friends on Dec. 2, 1951 and they were married in Austin July 16, 1952.

James moved to Baytown in 1952. He was member of Cedar Bayou Baptist Church for over fifty years and enjoyed many activities there. He loved his church family deeply. He was also a member of Goose Creek Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He was a devoted father and husband.

James enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt and also enjoyed HAM radio and traveling. He was a member of Pine Ridge Hunting Club in Hardin County for 35 years.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother, he leaves behind to cherish his memory a daughter, Kathy Hutton and husband Robert Girndt of Missouri City and son James Williams and wife Lynn of Carrollton, Texas. Also, grandchildren: Heather Henicke and husband Sam, Nathan and wife Airica Hutton, Matthew Hutton, Erin, Emily and Kyle Williams, Craig Girndt, and great-grandchildren Colt, Jacob and Sage West, Kaitlin and Keeler Henicke, Shelby Jones and Nathan Hutton, Jr. Also, nephew Charles Speegle and wife Bonnie of Fayetteville, NC and sister-in-law Beverly Speegle of Dallas and many in-laws, cousins and so may friends. His pet dog Abby will miss him too.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be sent in memory of James to the American Cancer Society or the Food Pantry in Baytown. A special thanks to his friends on the nursing staff at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital (skilled nursing on Bowie Dr) who so compassionately cared for him.

Pall bearers will be James’ grandsons and great-grandsons.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Cedar Bayou Baptist Church on Thursday, Dec. 8th at 10:00 am. A graveside service will be held at the Taylor City Cemetery in Taylor, Texas at approximately 3:30 pm that same day.

To view the obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rolling-brook Dr., Baytown, TX (281-422-8111).