Billy Joe (B. J.) Williams, age 29, of Chattanooga, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at a local hospital due to a long term illness known as I.P.E.X. syndrome. He fought a very courageous battle to the end. September 16th, 2016 he received a bone marrow transplant at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
B. J. graduated from Red Bank High School in 2007. He received a certificate in industrial electronics. B. J. was a first year student with the Local IBEW #175, but had to withdraw due to his illness. He loved four wheeling, hunting with his brother and dad, playing with his remote control cars, and being at the lake and beach. His desire to be in the aerospace industry was one of his biggest dreams. He had a great love for his furry family members. B. J. was known for having an unbelievable wit about him that kept a smile on everyone’s face.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward J. and Joan M. Ferguson Gruetter and Billy Joe and Jean M. Williams.
B. J. is survived by his parents, Michael E. Williams and Beth Louise Gruetter Williams; sister, Madyson Kathleen Williams; brother, Michael “Cody” Williams; grandparents, Charles Ferguson of Omaha, Nebraska; aunts and uncles, Linda Jo and Steve Scealf, Chattanooga; Carol M. and Jim Lawson, Chattanooga; Patricia Ellen Carrico, Omaha, Nebraska and Laura and Lee Gruetter of Salt Lake City, Utah; many cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, June 18, and 11 am to 1 pm on Tuesday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of B.J.’s life will follow at 1 pm on Tuesday, at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Chapel of Devotion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McKamey Animal Center, 4500 North Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415 or www.mckameyanimalcenter.org, the Humane Society of Chattanooga, 212 North Highland Park Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404 or www.heschatt.org, and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave, East, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, or www.seattlecca.org.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
