James Paul Williams

Born to the late Ritter Mae Mullins and James Berly Williams on May 11, 1933 at McRoberts, Letcher County, KY. He passed away on May 25, 2015 due to complications from a fall. He graduated from Jenkins High School, Jenkins, Letcher County, KY. His first major job was working at McRoberts for the local coal company store, later becoming its butcher. He was drafted into the Korean War on November 19, 1953 and served in Korea and Japan until being discharged on October 25, 1955.

He returned to his job as a butcher at the Consol Meat Market, working at the McRoberts, Burdine, and Dunham, KY stores. About the time the coal industry was waning, he visited his girlfriend, Dottie Franklin, in Alexandria, VA, and decided to stay and seek work in the area, first working as a meatcutter at an IGA grocery store, then Acme Markets, A & P Grocery, and lastly at Giant Foods. He retired from Giant Foods in 1998, having 40 years with the Meatcutters Federated Labor Union.

He and Dottie Franklin married March 29, 1959, and on April 24, 1972 had one son, Paul Keith Williams, of Fairfax, Fairfax County, VA. During James’ retirement, he enjoyed spending time at his long passion of woodworking, making birdhouses, carving birds, fish, and whatever struck his fancy. James Paul had an older sister, Wilma Jean Williams Kirk, who is deceased, and a younger brother, Astor Van Williams, also deceased.

Friends welcome on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield. Interment with Military Honors on Wednesday, June 10 at 2 pm at Culpeper National Cemetery, Culpeper.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nature Conservancy.