James H. Williams Sr.

JAMES HARRY WILLIAMS SR., son of the late Harry Williams and Martha Scott, was born on August 10, 1919 in Hardeeville, South Carolina. He was the third oldest of five children, four boys and one girl. He departed this life on March 27, 2013 after a lengthy illness. James received his education in the public schools of Savannah, Georgia. Upon completion of his education, he left Savannah, Georgia and came to Baltimore, Maryland. James obtained a full-time position of Welder at Sparrows Point Shipyard. In 1944, he was inducted into the United States Army. He was promoted through the ranks and was honorably discharged as a Sargent. James was nicknamed “Shorty”, while in the service. After serving in the miltary, “Shorty” worked as a machinist at Roper and Negley Automotive Company for over thirty years. He was recording secretary for the “Blue Knights Club”. James was highly proficient, organized and loved that position. For many years, James attended St. Francis Xavier Church, where Father Henry J. Offer was Pastor. James married the former Grace Elaine Harper. They had and raised eight children. In the early years of his life, James enjoyed listening to jazz, dancing and fishing, (sometimes using bloodworms as bait, which was his favorite) with his friends. Football, baseball, boxing and wrestling were also his great loves. James loved working on his family’s cars in front of their homes. James found pleasure in cooking and eating good food at family gatherings. He was often at the grill cooking for the barbeques that he held at his home, (which we called his estate). He smoked his pipe and drank his C.C., crossed his legs and proudly observed his children and enjoyed life. Scrapple was his favorite breakfast. He was generous and supportive of his family. James made numerous friends wherever he went and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him. He was a devoted family man. Cherishing loving memories of him; former wife, Grace E. Rice; three sons, James H. Williams Jr., Richard Michael Williams and Robert J. Williams (son, Troy N. Williams preceded him in death); four daughters, Jacqueline L. Spriggs, Gloria Reed-Brown, Evelyn A. Small of Woodbridge, Virginia and Danita R. Blount; four sons-in-law, Delatour C. Spriggs, Leon J. Brown, Keith R. Small and Charles J. Blount; one daughter-in-law, Shevonn Williams; twenty-five grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; nine great-great- grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

James H. Williams Sr.

August 10, 1919 - March 25, 2013