Individual Details

Death

Major John A. Williams Jr. died June 17, 2018 while residing at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions. He was born May 15, 1926 in Forsyth, Georgia, the oldest son of John A. Williams and Julia Ross Williams. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving aboard the U.S.S. Atlanta CL104, in the Pacific Theatre as a Radarman Third Class. After his discharge in 1946, he attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in Structural Geology, and receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry, U.S. Army. He later transferred to the U.S. Air Force and received his pilot’s wings in 1952. He retired in 1970, returning to Panama City where he had been stationed earlier. After retirement, he taught Geography and Civics at Mowat Middle School in Lynn Haven. Major Williams was a member and President of the Lynn Haven Rotary Club, member and Vice President of the Krewe of Dominique Youx, member, past Secretary, and on the Board of Governors of the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, member of the Order of Daedalians, (an Air Force organization of former and current pilots), U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailor Association, U.S.S. Atlanta Reunion, and University of Georgia Alumni Association and on the Board of The Friends of the Library. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Panama City and the Lillie Pennington Sunday School class. He was preceded in death by his son, John A. Williams III, his wife of 52 years, Joanne, his sister, June and brother, Captain Charles Ross Williams, who was killed in Vietnam serving his country with honor. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Leanne Williams Shell, her husband, Robert E. Shell, and niece, Teri L. Williams of Atlanta, and cousin, James T. Williams, and wife, Betty Lou of Decatur Georgia. The above obituary was written by my father. What he left out is the kind of man he was. Honest, hardworking, loyal, generous and a very cool dad. I got my brains and sense of adventure from him, and any artistic talent I may have from his wonderful mother. He taught me to be polite, charitable and never give up. As part of a military family, he gave us adventures, travel, learning, and a deep appreciation of our great country. He loved boats and the water and what adventures we had. I have heard it said so many times, that my father was a member of the "greatest generation." How very true. He loved life, his family, his church and his country. I thank the staff at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions and our many friends who met and loved him and who support our family in this difficult time. I walk humbly in his footsteps. A memorial service will be at 2 pm July 14, 2018, at First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL. The family will receive friends there from 1 pm to 2 pm. His remains will be interred in the family plot in Forsyth, GA.. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations can be made to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, P.O.Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064, Ocean Conservancy, 1300 19th Street NW 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, or donate a book to the Bay County Library in memory of Major John A. Williams Jr.. Wilson Funeral Home, Panama City, Florida.