James Halley Williams

He was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, attending Dunbar High School.

At an early age, he joined the United House of Prayer for All People, becoming the bandleader of the Original McCollough Hummingbirds, one of the church bands. Members of the United House of Prayer knew him as James “Jitty” Williams for his outstanding trombone playing. It was said that “No one could touch his trombone playing.” As bandleader, he and the band were so well liked that they travelled the country to play at churches who requested them.

Jitty was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Colts and the Ravens play, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming in a close second. Although he enjoyed watching sports, he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball even more and could be found playing pickup basketball games into his 40’s.

Next to sports, he also loved good food, music, cars, clothes and travelling. Anyone who knew James, knew him to be extremely meticulous and they knew him for his impeccable suits and his high-end cars. Despite weather conditions, James could be seen washing and waxing his car, while delivering a kind smile along with the word of the Lord.

James was extremely intelligent, and his work career knew no bounds. Early on he was an investment banker, Vice President of Marketing for a Fortune 500 company. In his later years, he became self-employed, developing, manufacturing and marketing Super Guard Auto Paint Protectant in Duluth, Georgia and the Global Travel Network in Atlanta, Georgia.

Until illness curtailed his activities, he faithfully attended New Birth Ministries in Newport News, Virginia under the leadership of Pastors Bill and Shirl Upton.

James and his former wife, Florence, had four children - Thuirmus Williams, Sharron Stewart (James), Sharise Banks and Sean Williams, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

With his life partner, Albertha, he became dad to her three children - Anthony M. Vines, June Ruthford and Timothy Vines; he was also grandfather to seven and great grandfather to six.

James was preceded in death by his stepfather, Leroy Parris; his older brother, Kervie Lee Williams and granddaughter, Shanika Williams.

He leaves to mourn his death, two sisters, Deborah and Gail Parrish and brother, Carlton Parrish.

James was a quiet, peace loving man, who had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. His love of God was expressed by his endless conversation regarding scripture. Even at the end although unable to see or speak; he mouthed the scriptures while they were being read to him.