James Franklin Williams Jr.

LEXINGTON - James Franklin (Jimmy) Williams, Jr., 76, of Lexington, SC, died Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Lexington Medical Center. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. A Celebration of Life Event will be announced at a later time. James was born on July 5, 1940 in Bluefield, WV to the late James Franklin Williams and Clara Maye Jones. The family later moved from Bluefield and settled in St. Albans, WV. After graduation from St. Albans High School in 1958, James began work as a salesman for Thom McAn Shoe Company in Charleston, WV. His work with the company took him to several different states over the course of twenty years, and he received many outstanding salesmanship rewards during that time. He retired from Thom McAn Shoe Company in September, 1978 in Columbia, SC. Brother James was a past member of Richland Lodge No. 39 A.F.M. in Columbia, SC (now Boyleston Lodge No. 123 A.F.M.). He received the 32° Master of the Royal Secret in the Columbia Scottish Rite in October, 1978. James began a second career as a salesman with BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Company in Columbia, SC in 1979. He worked several locations throughout North and South Carolina during his career and, once again, received many outstanding salesmanship rewards. He retired from BAPCO in February, 1999.

James loved music and was an accomplished keyboard player. After retirement, he joined with friends and formed the band known locally in the Lake Murray area as “Remember When.” The group entertained followers with what most considered “the oldies” from the 1950s and ‘60s. They also performed as the Sunday morning praise band for Macedonia Lutheran Church on Lake Murray. He was an avid fisherman and spent many a day fishing from his dock on Lake Murray for the elusive big one. He enjoyed time with the grandchildren and other youngsters and teaching them how to fish. Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Carol Sue Daugherty Williams; daughters, Christine Renee Webb (Ben) and Robin Lynn Poston (Bob); son, Jeffrey Scott Williams Cavaness; grandchildren, Theodore James Henning (Robin), Jackson Timothy Henning, and Benjamin Hunter Webb; best friends, Bruce and Neil Anderson; brother, Michael A Williams (Kaethe); sisters, Mary Alice Ray (Terry), Virginia Louise Jenison (Gary), and Melody Jones Self (Bob). His lifetime practice and his reminder to us all was, “I JUST WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH.”