John Melvin Williams Sr. was born and raised in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
Attended Elementary, Middle, and High School in St. Joseph Missouri School District.
He graduated from Central High School in 1973, where he had acquired the nickname of John the Cat Williams, from his ability to play basketball, and was so fast on his feet.
Shortly after graduating, he moved to California and enrolled in El Cerritos Junior College where he attended college until he received an injury on court that ended his career in basketball.
John returned to St. Joseph in 1981, where he started working at Peach Tree Door in the Stockyards, for 10 years, until they went out of business. At which time he started work at Silgan Sheet Metals, in the stock yards for 20 years until his retirement.
Although John loved all sports, his favorite teams were The Lakers and Chiefs. John took golf lessons and played Tennis until he tore his Akelius tendon.
As a lifelong member of the St. Francis Baptist Temple, from the cradle to the grave, he was faithful. Contributing faithfully to the building fund for the building of the new church we are sitting in today, to the groundbreaking ceremony to start the construction of this building and to the burning of the church mortgage ceremony. John served many years as the church treasure, retiring as church treasure after starting cancer treatment. Still, he continued to serve in the men’s ministry called the No Credit Crew. He loved to work in the yard, keeping the landscaping and grass picture perfect. His favorite past time during his last days were watching sports and old cowboy movies.
Surviving the home: he leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Jacqueline (Jackie) Williams married Christmas Eve - December 24, 1988, in the old temple of the St. Francis Baptist Temple by Rev. Dr. W.A. Hedge. As stepfather, John raised Precious Love-Hayes (Larry) and LaVesca Love-Moore (Michael), whom as an adult he adopted. John and Jackie together had one son, John M. Williams, Jr.
Together they have seven grandchildren, from Oldest to Youngest: Kenneth Strader, Charles Strader, Brayden Moore, Jordan Williams, Nya Moore, Olivia Williams, Justice Williams. John accepted and loved the stepchildren and step grandchildren from Jackies first marriage of 10 years. John was preceded in death by his mother, Charmine Williams and father, Eugene Crowley., Two sisters, Paula Dial and Linda Williams.
Surviving Siblings are: Brothers - Richard Williams, Virgil Williams, Harold Williams.Sisters – Constance Thaxton, Nylanda (Doris) Davis (John Henry), Charlene Barnes (Wayne), Mildred (Millie) Hopkins (Henry-Butch).
Two members of the Williams Clan remain living:Laura Hughes, Aunt., and Obie (Gene) Williams, aka the Popcorn Man.He also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Homegoing Celebration for John Melvin Williams, Sr., will be held Friday April 05, 2024 1:00 p.m. St. Francis Baptist Temple, Family Visitation 12:00 Noon at the Church, Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Services under the direction of Bullock Family Funeral Chapel.bullockffc.com
