Obituary for John Gardner Williams
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. -John 5:24
It seems as though John Gardner Williams has a few aliases, JG Williams, Jasper George, Santie Claus, Daddy, Dadio, Peepaw, Poppa, Mr. JG.
JG was born on September 29, 1933, to Thomas Joseph Williams and Ava Lou Staggs in Amhurst, TX. He passed from death to life on February 9, 2024, at 90 years old.
After high school, JG served in the U.S. Navy. Patriotism was deep in the Williams family. His father served in WWI and his only brother served in WWII. JG served the Korean War. J.G. loved to share his navy stories of his years aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown. He served four years active service and four years active reserve.
He returned to Levelland after the military. He loved to hang out at the pool hall and the Polka Dot Café where the cutest little brunette served tables. His sway stole her heart right away. Some say he stole her from Waylon Jennings. She would simply say Waylon didn’t stand a chance. JG married Juanita Lois Robinson on August 22, 1958. They were married sixty-one years before her passing. In 1964, they made their forever home in Sulphur Springs, TX.
JG retired from AMPI, Associated Milk Producers. After retirement, he graduated Top Gun at The Police Academy. He worked as a Jailer at Hopkins County Sheriffs Dept. The inmates LOVED him. They all called him Mr. JG.
Being a father was his passion. He had four girls, but he had many others that he took on as his kids. He loved to help others. He always taught his girls to live life to the fullest. It has been said there’s never been a stray dog or kid he wouldn’t take in. That’s absolutely the truth. Throughout his life many people lived in his home. He unofficially fostered many folks.
In 1986, he took off horseback to ride the Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train that traveled around the state of Texas for its 150th birthday. This was a six-month tour that ended on July 4th at the Ft. Worth Stockyards. His bucket list left nothing unchecked. He did everything he wanted to do in life. He leaves a legacy…shoes that are impossible to fill.
“Don’t forget who you are and where you came from” were the words he told every single one of his kids for generations when they left the house. He meant, “Don’t forget how you were raised…don’t do anything stupid…always stay humble…you’re never better than anyone else…we all came from the same creator”.
No human on earth has lived a more complete life. He found his place in the world at Cross Spur Cowboy Church. He loved his church and his church family.
JG’s “Farewell Party” as he always referred to Gene Watson’s song for his funeral will be on February 12, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home with his favorite cowboy pastor, Mike Eason officiating. Marlon Comer, Ricky Adams, Brian Adams, Carl Smith, Colten Hamilton, Jeremy Robinson, and Reggie Blevins will be serving as pallbearers at Shook’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be on February 11, 2024, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Murray-Orwosky
Funeral Home. Honorary Pallbearers are Kenny Comer, James Winkle, and members of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse.
JG leaves behind a huge family; daughters, Tanna and Bob Kearney, Donna James, Johna and Lindy Shipley, and Angela and Keith Edwards; grandchildren, Johnny Kearney and wife Tammy, Jesse James and fiancé Dawna, Ashley McCracken and husband Justin, Cassie Davis and husband Justin, Pacen Edwards and fiancé Camdyn and Jace Burchfield; great-grandchildren, Kolter Kearney and wife Courtney, Montanna Miller and husband Wesley, Kutter Kearney, Jordyn Pennington and husband Anthony, Madelyn Leach and husband Tom, Emily James and fiancé Dylan, John Marcus James, Jaylon Saxon, Jordan Saxon, Kenadi McCracken, Sophie Saxon, Max McCracken, Cheyenne Fouse, Chloe Cameron, Bailey Davis, Malorey Davis, Emalee Davis, Samuel Davis; great-great-grandchildren, Wyatt Kearney, Dax Miller, Henley Miller, Rowley Pennington, Reece Pennington, and Brynlie Swann; sisters Janelle Rowland and Sue Anderson.
JG is preceded in death by his lovely wife of 61 years, Juanita Williams, his parents Tom and Ava Williams, grandson Bobby Ray Kearney Jr., great-grandchild Kortney Noel Kearney, son-in-law Dennis Lee James, brother Odell Williams, and sisters Geraldine McBride, and Tommye Lou Drewry.
Instead of flowers and gifts, the family would appreciate donations made to Cross Spur Cowboy Church Building Fund, PO Box 241, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Arrangements are under the direction of Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.
The online register can be signed at www.murrayorwosky.com
