James Williams Sr

James Howard Williams, Sr., known affectionately as “Jess” was born February 28, 1925 in Findlay, Ohio. Jess attended Findlay High School, but left after his junior year and, in 1943, joined the United States Navy to fight in World War II. While in the Navy, Jess attended the United States Naval Training School at Hampton Institute. He was honorably discharged on April 11, 1946. After serving his country, he returned to Findlay High School to complete his senior year and high school diploma. He married Nova M. Williams on June 2, 1947, and together, they had two children, Jeri and Jimmy. He began working at BNT Metal from 1947 to 1949. From 1949 to 1985, Jess was employed by the United States Postal Service. He also trained racehorses for twenty-five years. In 1956, Jess joined St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church where he was a member of the Senior Usher Board, the Servamus Club and the Bible Club. He served on the Trustee Board and later became a Trustee Emeritus. Jess was an avid golfer and hunter, and he enjoyed over forty years of sobriety since joining Alcoholics Anonymous. Jess passed away on November 26, 2014 while at St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Eva V. Williams, brother, William H. Williams, Jr., sister, Ruth A. Carter, and daughter-in-law, Margaret J. Williams. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nova Maxine Williams; children, Jeri W. (Melvin) Smith and James “Jimmy” H. Williams, Jr.; grandchildren, James “Tres” H. Williams, III, Mahliik (Hermonie); Jiibril, Nynikka, and Kahlill Palmer; great grandchildren, James “Jae” H. Williams, IV, Niya, Kadin, and Asha Palmer; and a host of other relatives and friends.