John Williams was born in 1938 to the union of Jack Williams and Mable McQuiller Williams.  He was born in Maben, Mississippi.  Both parents have preceded him in death.

His early education took place in Mississippi, Junction City, Kansas and later in Cincinnati Public School System.  He was a graduate of Taft High School.

He admired and adored his grandfather who was his role model.  He was taught how to farm and tend to the animals.  He was so helpful that he sprayed bug spray in the cows faces and they were trying to break out.  He told papa that he was trying to keep the bugs off of them.  This idea didn't go over very well with papa but, he thought it was funny, and John ran to try to escape punishment.  However, he couldn't outrun his grandfather.

During his prime, he was a very sharp dresser, matching from head to toe.  Shoes were always shining, and his hair was immaculate.  He was a feather weight boxing champion who won many trophies throughout his early adolescent years.  He was also a member of Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church where he sang in the men's choir.

He loved to share stories of the past, rhyming and making people laugh.  He liked to dance, draw and enjoyed horseback riding.  He was very proud of his family and enjoyed talking and inquiring about how the children were doing.  He admired people and never met a stranger.  Once you met him, you never forgot him.

He worked for General Mills retiring in the 90's and enjoyed his retirement years.  He was married to Beverly, and they had one son, John Williams Jr.

He leaves to cherish his son, John Williams Jr.; two sisters, Mae Wilson and Flora (Leonard) Sayles and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.  He had one brother who preceded him in death, John Hughes.