Extracted from The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, MS)
Friday, October 22, 2004

Johnnie Williams

TUPELO -- Johnnie Williams, 77, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at his home in Tupelo after a long illness. A native of Hattiesburg, he was born July 9, 1927, to the late Thomas Roy and Bessie Denham Williams. He grew up in Hattiesburg. He had lived in Tupelo for the past 45 years. He was a seven-year of the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He was retired employee of TVA, where he worked as a substation operator. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. An avid Fox News viewer, he enjoyed spending time with people and with his dog, Bosco.

At his request, his body has been donated to science for research in heart and artery disease.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Verna Williams of Tupelo; two daughters, Rose Sonja ``Joie'' Clemons of Scottsboro, Ala., and Ellen Wigginton and husband, Jerry, of Dallas, Texas; three sons, Wayne Williams and wife, Janice, of Germantown, Tenn., Ernest Lee ``Buddy'' Williams of Huntsville, Ala., and Jerry Williams of Tupelo; three sisters, Loyce White, Ouida Williams and Anne Bedwell, all of Petal; two brothers, Jack Williams of Hattiesburg and Rayburn Williams of Moselle; 10 grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Prentiss Gordon Building at the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo.