On May 30, 1938, James A. (“Jimmy”) Williams and his twin sister Jean were the first boy-girl twins born at West Palm Beach’s Good Samaritan Hospital. After a brief illness, Jimmy peacefully entered eternal rest on May 10, 2021 while listening to some of his favorite music.
Jimmy Williams is survived by his loving daughters: Jamie Sommer and Shannon Skinn, and his son-in-law, Darryl Skinn; his grandchildren: Samantha Fonder and Zachary Potter, his grand-daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Potter; his great grand-daughter Isabelle James Johnson; the mother of his daughters, Charlene Williams; 3 nieces: Cindy Hinebaugh, Kristi Ashley and Gina Grant; a nephew, Mark Strong and niece-in-law Denise Strong; niece-in-law Barbara Strong; many great nieces and great nephews, a few great-great nieces and nephews, and countless lifelong friends. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Luther Arthur Williams and Irene Hollingsworth Williams, and his three sisters: Angelyn Strong, Carol Owen, and his twin, Jean Register.
Jimmy spent his entire life in Palm Beach County, and was a living, breathing Palm Beach County History book. He supported the Palm Beach Historical Society with many artifacts over the years. Because of his artistic style and love of Palm Beach County, the interior of his home is painted with wall-sized murals of the Lake Worth Pier, The Hut, and Palm Beach High School. He loved to dance, and was always the best dancer at any gathering, family, social, or professional. His attendance was sought by any Palm Beach High School class reunion committee with his phone number, so the women would have at least one good dance partner on the floor.
The Palm Beach Post was an integral part of his life for over 70 years. At age 9, he began selling newspapers on the street to help his mother provide groceries for his three sisters and him. He was a regular contributor to Palm Beach Post Letters to the Editors, and submitted many suggestions for historically based stories to feature in the newspaper. He also loved to send items to The Palm Beach Post that he knew they wouldn’t print. He often said, “I sent this to them. I know they won’t print it, but it will make them laugh!” He LOVED to make people laugh, and excelled at it. No matter the setting, Jimmy was a gifted orator, teacher and story teller, with the quickest wit on the planet.
In his youth, Jimmy was an all-star baseball player, and in adulthood was a winning baseball coach, leading his teams to championships. In his young adult years, he was a champion featherweight boxer. He was pursued by a professional boxing scout from California, but chose not to leave his family or Palm Beach County to pursue a boxing career.
He spent his career as a dedicated telephone repairman. Southern Bell profited by his tireless work ethic, brilliant insight, creativity and countless innovations that reduced the company’s costs and streamlined operations, ensuring customers’ phones were restored to service as quickly as possible. For years, he served as a leader in the Communication Workers of America Union, defending workers’ rights. It remained a lifelong mystery to him that his integrity in the workplace was not welcomed or rewarded by the company, rather they shunned him when he brought deceptive practices to light.
His generosity was immeasurable. In 2014, he was honored by his lifelong friends with a surprise “Thank You” luncheon, to recognize the countless ways Jimmy served and helped people and his community. Whether he was volunteering in his community by teaching children to read, serving SunFest’s organizing committees, planning reunions, or regularly giving $20 to a homeless man under a bridge, Jimmy put his generosity in action. He helped anyone he could, without judgment.
He LOVED animals. LOVED LOVED LOVED every living creature. He had a special kinship with his dogs, and loved to make people laugh by wondering aloud, “Should I be worried if I French kiss my dog?”
A memorial service for Jimmy Williams will be held on his birthday, May 30, 2021 from 2:00-5:00PM at Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice in Jimmy Williams’ name. He generously supported many charities throughout his life.
