Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.
An undated, clipped newspaper obituary of R. J. Williams was found in Iva Williams Sawyer's papers in 1993. R. J., or Reese Jackson, was Iva's father. He died July 28, 1940. The obituary most likely appeared in a Johnson City, Tennessee newspaper July 29th or 30th, 1940.
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Deaths
R.J. Williams
Funeral services for R. J. Williams, 78, one of Johnson City's pioneer residents, who died at 9:10 p. m., Sunday at his home, 415 West Maple street, will be conducted at 4 p. m., today in Central Baptist church in charge of the pastor, Dr. William R. Rigell, assisted by the Rev. E. A. Cox of Elizabethton. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Active pallbearers: G. W. Conner, Bernie Britton, R. H. Burkhart, C. W. Dickey, D. C. Long, J. J. Herren, Bryan Meredith and H. C. Hoss.
Honorary pallbearers: H. B. Miller, J. A. Daniels, J. W. Johnson, J. L. Gilbert, S. A. Brown, J. A. Allison, J. B. Holcombe, D. E. Miller, E. S. McCorkle, M. S. Akers, Alex Masengill, J. K. Poteat, J. Lee Taylor, John W. Sanders, W. M. Belton, R. H. Hickey, Hubert Shipley, F. M. McNees, B. D. Akard, Roy M. Clark, E. L. McCloud, R. E. Harmon, Clyde Walker, Hugh Webb, C. L. DeBord and members of the Baracca class.
Honorary pallbearers are reqeusted to be at the church at 3:30 p. m.
Mr. Williams, who had lived in Johnson City for 56 years, suffered a paralytic stroke last Wednesday.
Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Flora Williams of Johnson City; two sons, Argil Williams of Erwin and Guy Williams of Glendale, Calif., a daughter, Mrs. Robert Sawyer of Morristown; a sister, Mrs. O. L. James of Abingdon; a brother, G. M. Williams of Comers Rock, Va.; two half-brothers, Charles S. Williams of Johnson City and Robert Williams of Columbus, Ohio; two half-sisters, Mrs. Robert Lusk of Johnson City and Mrs. Minnie James of Virginia; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
