James A. Williams

James A. Williams, Jr., 77 of Fish Hatchery Rd., Morganton, NC died Saturday, December 09, 2006 at Valdese General Hospital following a brief period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on February 15, 1929, he was a son of the late James A. Williams, Sr. and Solon Peterson Cox Williams. James was a farmer, avid reader, amateur geologist, and environmentalist. He was a member of Mountain Grove United Methodist Church and was a loving and gentle father and grandfather. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Sisk.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Avis Smith Williams of the home; a son, Jim Williams and his wife, Melanie of Morganton; a daughter, Susan Williams Melton and her husband, Burl of Morganton; grandchildren, Peter Allen Helton, Jr. and his wife, Crystal of Raleigh, NC and Courtney Laine Williams of Morganton; a sister, Thelma Kayga; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2006 at Mountain Grove United Methodist Church with the Reverends Neal F. Brantley, Jr. and Alan Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Mountain Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3624 Fish Hatchery Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Leukemia Society of America, N. C. Chapter, 5950 Fairview Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28210. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the Oncology Dept. and all of the caregivers at Valdese General Hospital for the love and support given to them.