James Williams

MAKANDA – James “Jim” Williams, 84, of Makanda passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Marion VA Medical Center.



Jim was born on June 26, 1932 to Fletcher and Harriet (Hailey) Williams. He married Lilly Frances Stearns on March 17, 1951 at Carbondale. She survives and is of Makanda.



Other survivors include his son, Keith Williams and wife Nancy of Makanda; daughter Tina Shingleton of Makanda; four step-grandchildren; nine step-great grandchildren; one step-great great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.



He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and two sisters.



Jim served his country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in October 20, 1954 from Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso Texas.



Jim worked as an insurance agent for County Companies until his retirement in 1987. He was a Masonic Lodge member for over 61 years and currently a member of Shekinah Masonic Lodge Number 241 in Carbondale. He was also a member of Ainad Shriners Temple in East St. Louis and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie Lodge Number 269 of Carbondale.



Services for Jim will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale with Chaplin Lisa Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park, Murphysboro with military rites. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Masonic Rites being held at 11:00 a.m.



Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.



A special thank you to the VA Medical Center for the wonderful care they gave Jim and all of his family.



To share a story or memory of Jim, please visit, www.meredithfh.com