Mr. Jerry Lee Williams

Obituary For Mr. Jerry Lee Williams

Jerry Lee Williams was received into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Wednesday night, September 7, 2022, at Pine Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jerry was born September 12,1940, in High Point, NC, to the late Dewey Essex Johnson Williams and the late Dorothy Leach Williams, the youngest of 11 children. He was also preceded in death by all his siblings and his father-in-law. Everyone who knew Jerry, witnessed his gentle, soft spoken and confident demeanor and knew he worked hard and was a great provider.

Born into humble beginnings in rural High Point, NC and into a very large family, there was a limited supply of mostly everything. He found happiness and enjoyment in the simplest of forms…catching fireflies, climbing big oak trees, shooting marbles, building forts from tree branches in nearby woods and trying to swim in muddy ditches after a heavy rain. After losing both parents at a tender age, he quickly gained new parents and more siblings as he was welcomed into the home of his older sister and her family. He attended and graduated William Penn High School where he was well known and loved by his peers as he drove the school bus throughout his high school years transporting classmates from the rural areas of Guilford County to high school.

Jerry’s life was full at school as well as outside singing with a teen Doo-Wop group at Veteran Hospitals, Jaycee events, talent shows and actively participating in bowling leagues. He had a love and fascination with cars and was a part of the “Road Runners Club”, conceived and created by him and four close friends, each of whom were fortunate to have purchased their very own car. During the summer months, he worked learning the brick mason trade, a skill and trade which later led to building his own beautiful family home. He also built the brick entrance structure to his housing community and hundreds of others over a span of approximately 68 years when his health began to decline. After graduating high school, Jerry enrolled at A&T College (now North Carolina A&T State University) receiving an Associates Degree. While choosing not to enter the U.S. Military, but the mere participation in The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, he was taught leadership development, military skills and career training. If not in class or studying, he utilized this time laying bricks to continue saving and honing his singing skills and beautiful bass voice by singing with a small group of college classmates.

In 1971, he married his Heavenly Angel, the late Ava Taylor Williams and unto their union was born an only child, their son Chris. His family and his church, Memorial United Methodist Church were the loves of his life. The love he gave and the teachings that he imparted to his son, grandchildren and other family members and friends will keep him alive in their hearts.

During his formative years, Jerry’s religious teachings began at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, High Point, NC. His longest tenure, undying commitment and love was at Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Dewey W. Smith and later Rev. Paul N. Milton. He was very active with the Sanctuary Choir, Men’s Choir and the United Methodist Men and all their activities. When Brooks Memorial and Saint Mark churches merged to form Memorial United Methodist in 1972, Jerry built the cornerstone for the new church.

Leaving to mourn and cherish his legacy include his son, Christopher Bryan Williams and wife Dana; three grandchildren, Tyler, Alex and Brooke; four chosen siblings, Bettye, Billy, Sandra and Ronald (Hutton); a host of cousins, mother-in-law and devoted friends.

Though Jerry’s physical presence is no longer with us, we rejoice that we had him for many years and he no longer suffers, is pain free, has been reunited with those he loved and is resting safely in the arms of our Father God.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.