Jimmy Williams

WILLIAMS, Mr. Jimmy Lee "Butch" - Age 62, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 1:30PM Monday, June 8, 2009 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 2PM, Eld. Jeryl Montgomery officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 1:30PM Monday. Mr. Williams will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 12Noon-6PM Sunday. On May 30, 2009, Jimmy Lee (Butch) Williams answered the voice of the Lord that was calling him to come Home and rest from his labor. Born on January 17, 1947, in Greensboro, Alabama, he was the son of the late Albert A. Williams and Susie Gray Williams. While a resident of Greensboro, Alabama he was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. He was twenty-five years of age when he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Everyone who knew him called him by his nickname, Butch. Butch was educated at the Hale County Training School in Greensboro, Alabama. For many years, Butch was employed as a waiter in Las Vegas, Nevada and also worked as a laborer in various operations and maintenance positions. Later in his adult life, he relocated to Flint, Michigan, where he lived for many years until his death. When Butch was a teen-ager, he was noted as one of Greensboro’s most promising baseball players. Prior to a knee injury, he was slated to go to Florida to play in the Minor Leagues. His favored position was that of Short Stop. Butch was fast on his feet, and could steal a base right from under the keenest set of eyes. He is remembered as the baseball player who hit home run after home run and would then say something like, “Man, you threw a pie and I ate it up.” He would be playing in a game, hit about 4 home runs, and walk off the field saying, “I ain’t playing no more, I’m too good for those guys.” "Butch" had a lively sense of humor and just loved to laugh, shuck and jive. Even though Butch enjoyed hunting, he would never bring home a dead animal. He used to come in the door proudly baring a live owl, rabbit, dog or some other wildlife. Butch also had a fondness for his guitar and singing, but the only thing for certain that he loved more than baseball was the Lord and family. Butch took great pride and enjoyment in being directly or indirectly involved in all of his children and grandchildren’s lives. He would always brag about how his babies all looked like him. There was not one of his children that Butch did not love with a passion. He saw each and every one of them as a special gift from God. Though Butch would be the first to admit that he had made plenty mistakes in his lifetime, his hearts desire was that his children would come to know the Lord in a very real way. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughters, Sharon Berry, (James Dan) of Cincinnati, OH; Tonya Allen, of Detroit, MI; Barbara Harris (Ron), of Tuscaloosa, AL; Yvette Williams, Carolyn Williams, Brandy Williams, and Chandrell Williams, all from Flint, MI; son, Ernest Hedgeman, (Amelia) of Huntsville, AL.; grandchildren, Marlon, Peter, Corey, Marc’Asia, Cartiea, Zyquan, Constance, Ciera, Dontea, Vacara, Jeremy, Jazmyn and Angel; brothers, Charles Williams and Elrich Williams of Greensboro AL; Charlie Jones, of Syracuse, NY; and William (Bill) Clinton, of Tuscaloosa, AL, sisters, Georgia Williams of Pawtucket, RI; Carolyn S. Williams, of Providence, RI, and Dorothy Jones, of Greensboro, AL; aunts, Emma Stevenson, of Greensboro Al; Lela James, and uncle, Jessie Stevenson both of Bronx, NY. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and a community who will miss him dearly. The family of the late Jimmy Lee (Butch) Williams would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere appreciation to Lil’ Betty, Vanessa Fair, Senator Bobby Singleton, William Quarrel, and Elder Lydia S. Brown. A special thank you goes out to our father’s community of devoted friends who throughout his life, were unwavering in their loyalty and friendship. Also, we offer a heartfelt thank you to all who have diligently supported our family through prayer, financial contributions and your many cards and expressions of condolence.

Jimmy Williams

January 17, 1947 - May 30, 2009