George Austin Williams

George Austin Williams of Madison, MS passed away peacefully on July 31 after fighting cancer for over nine years. He was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, on March 29, 1941, to the late Wilfred George Williams and Lucille Sturm Williams. He lived in Central City until 1949, when his beloved Aunt Maude Williams brought him to live in Grand Junction, Colorado. He graduated from Central High School and briefly lived in Northern California before joining the United States Air Force in 1960.

George was assigned to the Strategic Air Command in Columbus, Mississippi, where he served with distinction in combat operations and intelligence during the Cold War. While stationed in Columbus, he met Ginny Tisdale, his devoted wife of over 61 years.

Following his military service, George began a successful advertising career at Gordon Marks Advertising Agency, where he advanced from artist to broadcast media buyer, television director, and eventually an Account Executive and Vice President. He won numerous awards for his creative work, including producing the first color film commercial in Mississippi for Andrew Jackson Life Insurance Company. He then continued his career with Maris, West & Baker, further cementing his legacy in the industry.

In 1980, George founded G. Williams and Associates, an agency that served prominent clients, including Pepsi (Brown Bottling Group), Kentucky Fried Chicken, MobileComm, and numerous local, regional, and national accounts. Under his leadership, the agency grew to a team of over 28 talented professionals, whom he deeply admired. He was also proud to have provided strategic marketing for successful political candidates, including John Bell Williams and William Winter.

George was especially passionate about his work with the Cancer League of Jackson, contributing over 16 years of marketing support that helped raise several million dollars. In 1990, he founded Postmaster Sales, a direct mail company that distributed hundreds of millions of coupon books for national restaurant chains across nearly every state.

In 2014, George closed the agency and pursued his lifelong passion by opening G. Williams Gallery a space dedicated to art, antiques, guns, and knives. A gifted artist himself, he hand-carved stunning decoys and shorebirds, which he proudly gifted to family and friends. George also had a deep love of cars, reflecting his appreciation for craftsmanship, design, and history.

George was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, and his sisters, Joan Vinson and Jacqueline Sies, and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny, and was proud of his daughter, Deborah (Paul) Nowack, and his son, Mark (Sheri) Williams. He was deeply honored that both of his children worked side by side with him for many years. He is also survived by his grandsons, Austin and Hampton Nowack, and by Anne Woodard, Virginia Richardson, Tommy Woodard, and David Woodard, along with great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews across the country. He was affectionately known as “Pops” to his family.

A member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church since 1971, George prayed nightly for his friends and family and was known for his generosity and unwavering devotion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

Visitation to be held on Thursday, August 7, at Parkway Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, MS, at 11:00 AM, with a memorial service immediately following at 12:30 PM