John Lan Williams

John Lan Williams passed away peacefully at home, Sunday, January 19, 2014. He was born February 12, 1923, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Virginia Bozeman Williams and Benjamin Franklin Williams. His childhood was spent in Little Rock and Osceola, Arkansas, where he graduated valedictorian from Osceola High School. He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, graduating in 1944.

Lan married Sue Clay Hughey on June 16, 1943. They moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1944 and he entered the family banking business. In 1954 he resigned as executive vice-president of Citizens Bank of Jonesboro and moved to Baytown to become president of Thad Felton Ford Company. He was later co-owner of Quality Motors and Texas Motor Volkswagen/Subaru. Upon retiring from the automobile business, he joined his son's business, The Travel Post Travel Agency.

Lan was a dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Baytown, where he served on the Vestry and twice as Senior Warden and Treasurer. He was a wonderful model of his Christian faith and was a devoted husband, father, and cherished grandfather.

While at the University of Arkansas, Lan was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and was a Life Loyal Sig since 1943. He was a Life Member of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association. Lan was a charter member of the Goose Creek Country Club and an avid golfer. He was a member of the Jonesboro and Baytown Rotary clubs for 53 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Lan always said that his greatest achievement was marrying his beloved wife, Sue Clay. He and Sue Clay celebrated their 70th anniversary of marriage at Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 16, 2013, with their church family.

Lan was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Frank Williams, and two brothers, Benjamin Franklin Williams, Jr., and William Hale Williams. He is survived by his wife, Sue Clay Hughey Williams; sons, John Lan Williams, Jr. and James Franklin Williams; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and C. Dell Cantrell; granddaughters, Laura Katherine Cantrell and Mary Clay Cantrell Gebauer and her husband, Chase Gebauer. He is also survived by his brother, Edward Williams, and his wife, Bobbye; and nieces and nephew, Delia Saliba, Diane Davis, Christen Arnold and Cliff Williams.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to individuals at Humble Care, particularly Mabell Salazar, Perla Razo, Shannon Doskocil, Emily Crowell, and Jennifer Salinas for the loving care they provided to Lan and Sue Clay during the past year.

Friends are invited to a memorial visitation with the family on Tuesday, January 21, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Navarre Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5010 North Main, Baytown, TX 77521 on Wednesday, January 22, at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church Building Fund.

""Passed from the joys of earth to the blessings of heaven, from the vanities of time to the riches of eternity…..""

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.