James Williams, Jr.

James Edwards Williams, Jr., “Little Jim” “Sammy” “Pops” was born in Columbus, Ohio on July 25,

1950, to the late Edna Pearline Williams and James Edwards Williams, Sr. They had two sons together, James Jr. and Sidney.  He departed this life on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. He attended East High School, where he received his high school diploma in 1967.

James joined the US Army on March 17, 1970, and fought in the Vietnam War. He received an honorable discharge on January 10, 1971. Once James was back on US soil, he was employed at Ohio Electrical Coil, where he eventually retired with full military benefits. He did not stop there, however, as he was later employed with Columbus State University’s book store and held a Columbus Dispatch paper route.

James, being the eldest brother of eight siblings, was naturally very protective of his little brothers and sisters. James loved to dance, play music, and watch NFL football, especially when his favorite team, the Cleveland Browns, was playing. He also enjoyed basketball, boxing, and doing all these things in the presence of family and friends. James liked to make jokes, but one thing he did not joke about was his love for all his children.  One of his favorite sayings was, “Meet you at the top!”

James was preceded in death by his parents, James Williams and Edna Bates; sisters, Norma Jean, Paula, Candy, and Cassy; brother, Wayne; and former wife, Evvajane Williams.

He leaves to cherish precious memories: his kids, Maurice (Tasha), DeEllis (Anika) Williams, Cammi, James Leeper, Sharie (Aaron) Banks, Miranda (Neckbone), Jamy, April (AD), and Tiffany; grandkids, Orlanda, Portia, Shakinah, DeAndre, Brianna, Kiwuan, Tequan, Porshe, Teshawn, Amilian, Lil Aaron, Nini, Ariyonne “Lisa”, Andrew, Sassy, Lil Eric, Ziyah, Graham, Se’Marr, Siyah, D, DJ, Terry, Corinne, Heavy D, Tae,

Ava, Yakim, and Trusky; great-grandkids, Ronald, Javeon, Riley, Noah, Ava, Amari, Aaron Royce, Alaia, Bella B, Joziah, DeAnna, Kiyami, Juelz, Mileah, and more; brothers, Sidney Williams, and Paul Bates; and a host of cousins, other family, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Williams, Jr., please visit our floral store.