Samuel Ray Williams

Mr. Ray Williams, age 85, of Jamestown, TN passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015 at his home following an extended illness.

Mr. Williams was a highly respected man with many years of service to his country through his military service and  to his community.

Samuel Ray Williams was born January 17, 1930 in Somerset, KY to Luke and Lelia Pile Williams.

As a very young boy, Ray began working for local farmers, plowing ground as well as helping his parents farm.  He was always a worker — even through high school, he had a job milking cows on his way to school.

Ray graduated from York Institute in 1948 and went to work for Frogge & Williams at the rock crusher.  In 1949, Wright Frogge, whom he had worked for in a lot of different jobs, talked him into going to work at Jamestown Motor Company (commonly referred to as the Chevrolet Garage), as a service station attendant and mechanic.

In 1951, Ray married his sweetheart, Maudean Peavyhouse, and after two short months of marriage, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where he served his country in the Korean War.

After returning from war, he returned to his job at the Chevrolet Garage where he worked until 1960, when he went to work for Volunteer Electric and worked there for 35 years.

He was always so thankful and appreciated his job and never complained about work — never complained about going on service calls at all hours of the night and in all kinds of weather.  He always loved his work and co-workers.

After his career at Volunteer Electric he was fortunate enough to pursue his interest in full time farming and was able to farm for many years.

Ray and Maudean were married for 64 years.  They had four children; Darrell, Donnie, Debbie and Denise.  Ray loved his family and was a very devoted family man.  He always set the example for the family — being firm when needed but always exemplyfying love and how to treat others.  He always said “You preach your sermon by the way you live.”

Ray loved the outdoors and loved animals.  He loved to hunt and horseback ride and passed these loves to his children and grandsons.  He loved to trail ride and enjoyed and appreciated God’s creations.

He loved to work and was never idle.  He always had work to do and his children said they always remembered him telling them “to make every lick count.”  He always put in a full day’s work — staying busy from daylight to dark.

He was always there helping whoever needed help.  Ray loved his neighbors and they have shared what an influence he has been to them.

Ray accepted the Lord as a young man and joined First Baptist Church in Jamestown.  He loved his church and church family, and when his sons were young he helped with R.A.s and later was ordained as a Deacon at the church.

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Maudean Williams of Jamestown; a son, Donnie Williams and wife Beth of Jamestown, two daughters, Debbie Williams and Denise  Williams Campfield & husband Doug of Jamestown; daughter-in-law Adrienne Williams; five grandchildren, Troy Williams and wife Katie, Todd Williams and wife Jessica, Anthony, Joshua and Matthew Williams; and one great-grandson, Drew Williams.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, Luke and Lelia Pile Williams; a son, Darrell Williams; and a brother, Bill Williams.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mundy Funeral Home of Jamestown, with burial following in the Fentress Memorial Gardens with Bro. David Acres officiating.

A Military Service was held at the graveside in honor of Mr. Williams by the American Legion Post 137.

Pallbearers included Troy Williams, Anthony Williams, Joshua Williams, Matthew Williams, Doug Campfield, Drew Williams, and Todd Samuel Williams.

Honorary pallbearers included David Hicks, Marty Scroggins, Bill Mitchell, Jim Delk, Onie Wright, Brite Cooper, Gennie Beaty, Donnie Choate, and former and current employees of Volunteer Energy Cooperative.

The Mundy Funeral Home of Jamestown was in charge of services.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Samuel Ray Williams, please visit our floral store.