Servant of Christ, Faithful Husband, Loving Father, Adoring Grandfather and Steadfast Friend: Billy George Williams, Sr., 84, of Hackett, Arkansas passed away Monday, January 17, 2022. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a member of the New Providence Baptist Church and a United Auto Worker Retiree from the General Motors Corporation.
Born to parents, Calvin LeRoy and Dorotha Susan Williams on March 15, 1937 in Evansville, Arkansas, he was the youngest of six children. He was raised in Hartford, Arkansas. A four-year varsity letterman in football and basketball at Hartford High School, he caught the eye of varsity cheerleader, Cecilia Bean, who was later to become Mrs. Billy G. Williams. After graduating high school he went on to enlist in the United States Air Force and attend basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. There was follow on specialty training at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado and then a three-year duty assignment at Whiteman AFB in Sedalia, Missouri.
While stationed in Missouri he would wed the former Miss Bean in 1959 in a small ceremony in Midland, Arkansas. They went on to have four children together, Billy, Brian, Cathy and Stacy. He and Cecilia raised their family in and around the Kansas City area of Missouri. After many years in Kansas City, he and Cecilia moved to Indianapolis, Indiana for work with General Motors and then eventually retired to Hackett, Arkansas in 1996.
He adored his wife, his children and his grandchildren; they were his passion. Additionally, he was an accomplished/award winning painter and photographer; he loved to fish and spend time on James Fork Creek; an avid amateur birdwatcher he created a personal aviary sanctuary around their home where he could watch the birds from his own back porch; his faith was always in the forefront of his life and was exemplified through his service as a deacon with the Raytown Church of Christ and service as a lay prison minister at both Leavenworth and Jefferson City federal prisons; additionally, he was an active member of the New Providence Baptist Church, leading weekly men’s bible study; and, he was a totally devoted husband and partner to his beloved wife of over 62 years, Cecilia.
Bill Williams “ran the race” to the finish, he was a “good and faithful servant” of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in the fact that he is in the arms of his Lord and that he will be rewarded for his faithfulness. He was cherished by his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He will be missed!
He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Williams; one son, Brian Williams and wife, Mabel of San Antonio, TX; two daughters, Catherine Meador and husband, Kyle of Tulsa, OK and Stacy Wood and husband, Brett of Olathe, KS; one daughter-in-law, Candace Hickam and seven grandchildren, Jacob Williams, Cassandra Meador, Caden Meador, Sinead Williams, Seamus Williams, Katherine Wood and Nathaniel Wood. He was preceded in death by one son, Billy Williams, Jr., two brothers, Ivan Calvin and Harold Allen Williams, three sisters, Lillie Opal Page, Dessa Oleta Smith and Mary Lou Shea, and two parents, Calvin LeRoy and Dorotha Susan Williams.
Funeral service with military honors will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 22 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Mount Olive Cemetery in Midland, Arkansas. Viewing will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday before the service.
