The Prentiss Headlight
Jefferson Davis Co., MS
October 20, 1949

William E. Williams Dies of Heart Attack

Hearts of friends all over Jefferson Davis county were rent with grief Friday when the news spread that Bill Williams had died of a heart attack at Robbin's Store, in the Green's Creek community, about noon while out at his work. It is stated that he had bought food for a light noon snack at the store and had gone to the pump at the rear of the building for water when he suffered the attack. Witnesses near the scene stated that he slipped to the ground, and breathed only two or three times after they rushed to his side to render aid. All agreed that his big heart, that had loved his own so deeply, had stood all it was humanly able to stand. Many had watched the lines of grief etched on his face since the sudden passing of their only beloved son, Jim Williams, also from a similar heart attack, two years ago. And when his dearly beloved wife and companion became critically ill three weeks ago with no turn for the better noted in her condition, it was more than he could take.

Friends, calling at the family home when they learned of his passing, saw his Bible lying in the swing on the front porch where he was wont to read it daily, open as he had left it that morning at the 10th, 11th and 12th Psalms, and sensed his seeking for Divine comfort in his time of trouble and sorrow as these words stood out in the large print: "Why standest thou a far off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? ... Arise, Oh Lord; O God lift up thine hand; forget not the humble ... In the Lord put I my trust." Many had noticed his deep consecration and faith in recent years, and his devotion to his church; likewise so many had heard him make the statement that he was ready to go any time the Lord called for him. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord," can truly be said of Bill Williams, and should be a great source of comfort to the bereaved ones.

Funeral services were held from the Prentiss Baptist Church Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with his pastor, Dr. L. E. Green in charge, assisted by Rev. Eliot Jones, Methodst pastor, and Rev. Butler of Silver Creek. Interment was made in the Prentiss Cemetery with R. E. Tyrone, Hiram Williams, Robert Dale, B. C. Clark, Gray Griffith and Lavon Hoover serving as pall bearers. Walden's Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Bill Williams was born in Lawrence county, near Silver Creek, but had been a resident of Prentiss since its beginning as a town. For years he was employed as a salesman for S. S. Dale and Sons, large mercantile furnishing establishment of Prentiss, until some twenty years ago. Later he was employed as salesman for the old Prentiss Motor Co. and, more recently, was employed by the Hathorn Motor Co. of Prentiss. At the time of his death, he was a valued employee of Walden's Funeral Home and was about his duties in this connection when he was stricken. Perhaps it can be said of Bill Williams that he knew more people in Jefferson Davis county than any other man. He loved people, loved to mingle with them and swap yarns with them. He was always the life of the crowd when he was around until deep sorrow laid its hand upon him and exacted its heavy toll. He possessed the happy faculty of being able to express with ease his affection for his family, and as the daughter said after his passing, "Pop was the only boy in his family, and was spoiled when Mom took him over to spoil some more ... and we just had a good time spoiling each other." The same affection showered on his own two children was likewise showered on the beloved daughter-in-law, Mrs. Beryl Barnes Williams, who returned the affection in like measure.

Bill Williams will be keenly missed in Prentiss and the hearts of all friends go out especially to the daughter, who is so sorely bereaved, and the faithful wife and companion who remains so critically ill at the Methodist Hospital at Hattiesburg, not yet knowing that her dear one has made the journey into the land beyond the stars.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Carrie Luper Williams, his daughter, Miss Mary Lena Williams of Hattiesburg, and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jim Williams, he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Albert Armstrong and Mrs. Lonnie Allen of Silver Creek, and Mrs. A. P. Smith, Sr. of Newhebron.