Julius Watson Williams

Julius Watson Williams, age 86, of Gainesville passed away Tuesday February 7. Julius was born September 8, 1930 to Charles and Kay Williams in Meigs, GA, the oldest of four children. His father moved the family to Miami, FL where they encountered some hard times. One child died and Julius and his remaining siblings were placed in an orphanage by their parents. The paternal grandparents soon sent for them and they were all added to an already large farm family in Whigham, GA. It was a definite culture shock for the children but provided the love, direction, and stability they needed.

Julius was attending Georgia Tech when his studies there were interrupted by the Korean War and service in the United States Air Force.  After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Julius returned home and married Shirley Pate of Cairo, GA, sharing their lives together for sixty-one years, and the couple moved to Atlanta to enable Julius to resume his education at Georgia State, receiving his degree in Accounting. By then, four boys had entered the young couple’s life and after Julius’ graduation the family moved to Thomasville, GA where Julius later earned his CPA. In 1963 Julius accepted a position with an accounting firm in Gainesville and over the years the family thrived in their new hometown.  In 1980 Julius earned his Jurist Doctor degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law and practiced both law and accounting in the following years.  In 1999 Shirley suffered a stroke that left her an invalid and Julius was her devoted caretaker until her death on their 61^st anniversary in 2014.

Julius was a good provider for his family and he and Shirley enjoyed attending the myriad activities of their children.  Julius also enjoyed entertaining friends and family with his tales of growing up in Whigham, GA during World War II.  He described the town and the antics of his relatives, friends, and others in idyllic terms.  His stories made the small village in Grady County seem like the Hannibal, MO of Mark Twain combined with the Walton’s Mountain of Earl Hamner, Jr. with a bit of Lewis Grizzard’s Moreland, GA thrown in.

Julius was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, his brothers Larry Carlton Williams and Charles Hartford (Ducky) Williams, and his son David Russell Williams.  He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law Michael and Renee Williams, Cartersville; Charles (Buzzy) and Judith Williams, Gainesville; Steve and Beverly Williams, Gainesville; Sally Williams, Norcross; grandchildren Jessie Leigh Williams, Cartersville; Kellye Williams, Jefferson; Nicholas (Nick) Williams, Gainesville; Whitney Williams, Gainesville; Cameron Williams, Norcross; Jackson Williams, Norcross; sister Evelyn Miriam Olschner, Neptune Beach, FL

A memorial service is scheduled Saturday February 18 at 2:00pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel with Dr. W. Terry Crawford of New Holland Baptist Church officiating.  The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations  be made to Meals on Wheels 430 Prior St. SE Gainesville, GA 30501 or Northeast Georgia History Center 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville, GA 30501. Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200.