Joe Allen Williams

Joe Allen Williams was born in Tuskegee, Alabama on July 23, 1935, to Ardelia Brown and Ray Clifton Williams. Although he was an only child, he was raised with his cousin, Samuel James (the brother he never had), by grandparents, Carrie and Riley Brown. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, he joined the Army and fought in the Korean War. After the war, he moved to Columbus, where he met and married his wife Ophelia, who preceded him in death. They had one child, Stephanie, whom he loved dearly. He had two granddaughters, Tiffany and Tammy, and took great pride in spoiling them (he never learned to say no). He was also the great-grandfather of four (Keondra, Kierra, Chandler and Courtney). Joe was known as Uncle Joe to his many nieces and nephews and was also a father figure to his niece Joyce and nephew Duke when they were growing up. He was blessed to share his later years with special friend, Anna Marie Colon, who was there at his side until the end. During his younger years, Joe was always the life of the party. He loved fishing, cowboy movies and eating (had a huge appetite). He would always look forward to the next cookout or holiday gathering, especially the ones at Bruce Cindy's house. Joe took pride in taking care of his yard and was extremely picky about how it looked. When he could no longer take care of his yard, his good friend Terry began cutting it every week for him just because of who Joe was. Joe also took great pride in maintaining his beautiful white hair, which earned him the nickname The Silver Fox. Joe began having problems with his remote control and would call his nephews, Duke and Quinton, who would come fix it and get those cowboy movies back on again. Joyce found him a better Chinese restaurant he grew to love and she would make him collard greens. It didn't take much to make him happy. Joe was loved and respected by many and touched so many lives in so many different ways. Everyone has a Joe story, whether it's the good, the bad or the funny. He will sadly be missed. Enjoy your new life in Paradise. He was preceded in death by: wife, Ophelia; mother, Ardelia Brown; father, Ray Williams; grandparents, Carrie and Riley Brown; son-in-law, Clarence Rocky Byars; and other relatives. He leaves to mourn: daughter, Stephanie Byars; granddaughters, Tiffany Bivins and Tamara (Terran) Burrell; grandchildren, Keondra and Kierra Bivins, and Chandler and Courtney Burrell; sister-in-law, Shirley Jackson; special nieces, Joyce Bush, Erica (Anthony) Matthews, Yvette (Zep) Wallace, Sheila (Michael) Barnes, Tracy Conyers and Judy Brown. Special nephews, Paul (Duke) Jackson, Paul (Eric) Jackson, Carielle (Corey) (Tonya) Jackson, Quinton Rooker, John Wilson III, Julius (Sara) Wilson, Therome James, Mark James and William (Duke) (Karen) Paul; cousin brother, Samuel James; special friends, Anna Marie Colon and John (Terry) McMillian.