Julie Williams

Julie Samons Williams was born on November 16, 1939 in Martin, Kentucky to Bascom and Susie Samons in Appalachia where coal mining and railroad work were the main industries. She was the youngest of eight children with one sister, Sadie, and six brothers, Hezie, Casey, Everett, TB, Tandy, and Bascom Jr (Tony). Julie grew up in a house her dad built on King Branch, and they raised or grew most of their own food. Later they moved to another house her dad built. Her sister, Sadie lived down the road, and mom’s best friend was her niece.

Julie was baptized into Christ at the age of 13 in a local stream, and her family have been faithful members of the Church of Christ for generations. Julie went to a one-room schoolhouse and finished through the 8th grade. When Julie was sixteen years old, she was invited by two of her older brothers, Hezie and Everett, to move to Toledo, Ohio. There she learned ballroom dancing, and she enrolled in the Patricia Stevens Beauty School and did some modeling for local stores. In July of 1963, she went west to Hollywood, California, hoping to become a model. She found a job working for the Arthur Murray Dance Studio as a dance instructor in Los Angeles.

Julie met her husband, Alan, at a bar named Cappy's Tender Trap just two months after she moved to Los Angeles. Julie would wait for her bus to work at that corner and would sometimes wait just inside the bar. They were married in Encino on June 15, 1964. Julie soon gave birth to three children Deborah, Michelle, and David. She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing clothes for her children and making their Halloween costumes. Julie also worked as Alan’s secretary, managing the bills and accounts for his business. Later, Julie obtained her Real Estate License and worked as a Realtor for many years. Julie was a life-long Christian, but after marrying Alan, Julie needed help with her children at services so he started coming with her. Before long, he was also baptized into Christ by the minister Lonnie Branam. From that point on, both were active members of the local church. They attended Van Nuys Church of Christ, the Conejo Church, and then the Simi Valley Church, where Alan became an Elder. Julie was active behind the scenes teaching Bible classes and working in a variety of other areas to help the local church.

Julie enjoyed becoming a grandmother, and she spent much time with her grandchildren. She relished spending time with them and went all out decorating the house for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. She loved to set a beautiful table with fine china, crystal, and lovely linens. Her home was beautiful and she took great pride in making her family feel loved. Julie and Alan also had a timeshare in Palm Desert and would invite all their children and grandchildren out to enjoy the pool and fancy dinners. The children and grandchildren remember these times fondly for the fun they had every April or May. Julie especially loved sitting on the patio and feeding the ducks that would wander off the golf course. Julie took up quilting and made beautiful quilts for her family, and she was active up until her last few years, taking care of her home and Alan. Julie came a long way from Kentucky, but she kept her family traditions and culture, using her common sense and down-home values to guide her through her life.