J.R. Williams

Hebrews 9:27 – “It is appointed unto a man once to die”

Psalm 116:15 –“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Revelations 14:13 –“ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Such was the joy of Johnie and Ardellia Williams, when, on December 25, 1936, they welcomed their third child and first-born son into the world in the person of J.R. Williams. And so his life journey began on the family farm in Bastrop, Texas along with his ten siblings. He grew up in a Christian home where family values, strong work ethic, education, love and respect were embedded in all. JR embraced these values and demonstrated them throughout his lifetime.

J.R. took his place in the family order. He was the big brother, being a role model for his younger brothers as well as protecting his sisters. He worked side by side with his father in managing the family farm and always made sure his mother was taken care of. He was playful and loved to joke around. He would tease his sister, Lettie, because she was afraid of worms and he would scare her with a feather pretending it was a worm just to make her scream. He could not keep a secret, if you told him a secret, it was not a secret anymore.

He began his formal education at Haywood Elementary School and graduated from Emile High School in Bastrop, Texas in 1954. He was a star student and one of his principal’s favorites. After graduation, he studied at Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas.

J.R. met and married his devoted wife of forty-one years, Gwendolyn Williams, on March 9, 1984. He had two sons from a previous marriage: Reginald Williams and Terry Williams Sr.

J.R. pursued many avenues in the world of work. They included salesman, construction/real estate, owning and operating gas stations. He was a mentor for many others in showing them how to be successful in business. He built J.R Williams & Associates Insurance Company under the umbrella of A. L.

Williams/Primerica Insurance Company. He successfully ran the company until his retirement. He also owned his own construction company, J.R. Williams Construction with his son, Reginald Williams.

God’s hand was on J.R.’s life from his very beginning. He was always a preacher. As a child growing up, he could preach a sermon from any topic. He was baptized at an early age at the Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School as a young adult and held Sunday School class at the elementary school on the Williams property. His students were his siblings and other children in the community.

J.R. announced his calling into the ministry and preached his first sermon in 1966 at David Chapel Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. James E. Obey. He was called to pastor Winn Memorial Baptist Church, Elgin, Texas, in 1967 where he served as pastor for seven years.

Pastor J.R. Williams founded the True Light Missionary Baptist Church on June 18, 1974 with seven members. June 24, 1974, the first service was held in a rented building at 1300 Fort Branch Blvd. in Austin, Texas. Committed to preaching the Word of God and serving God’s people, the congregation continued to grow. On September 21, 1975, the groundbreaking service was held and the edifice we now occupy was begun. Through faith, long hours of physical labor and prayers, the building was completed. For fifty-one years under Pastor Williams’ leadership, True Light Baptist Church stood as a beacon of light in the community. Pastor Williams’ commitment reached far beyond the four walls of True Light M. B. C. He was actively involved in local, state and national Baptist organizations. Locally, he was a member of the St. John Landmark Association. He served as treasurer, vice moderator and moderator. He was a friend to other pastors and ministers and a servant to all.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, God declared that J.R.’s work was done. God gathered him and said, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, come on up and I will make you ruler over many things. Enter now into the joy of the Lord.”

J.R. is preceded in death by his parents, Johnie and Ardellia Williams; son Reginald Williams; older sisters: Gladys Williams Clark and Lettie Williams Harper; brothers: James H. Williams, Ardell Williams, and Earl LeRoy Williams; granddaughter: Gwendolyn Carter Black.

He leaves to celebrate his legacy and cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife, Gwendolyn Williams; three sisters: Mattie Sanders, Los Angeles, CA., Shirley Peeples and Bobbie Williams, Austin, Texas; two brothers: Warren Williams (Lisa), Bastrop, Texas and Lawrence Williams, Sr. (May Jo), Austin, Texas; son, Rev. Terry Williams, Sr.(Lynn), daughter, Cathy Black; grandchildren; Natasha Maxie and Rev. Kristopher Bell (Brittany) (whom J.R. raised as his own); Quentin Williams, Arkina Williams (Jarrett), Terry Williams, Jr, Alegria Michelle Williams; Great-grandchildren: Cartrell Haynes, Makaiah Mosley, Joshua Maxie, Tyson Bell; God daughter, Shanntell Colvin-Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, many cousins, other relatives, and friends..