Johnny Ray Williams

WILLIAMS Johnny Ray Williams was born December 21, 1946 in Andalusia, Alabama to Bernice and "Junior" Williams. His Mother remarried Arthur Skipper, who raised Johnny from early boyhood along with his step-brothers Rex and Randy and step-sister Patsy. He is predeceased by his Mother, his Father, his step-father, his brother Rex, his Grandmother Lillian Norsworthy, his uncle Jimmy Norsworthy, his pit bulldog "Rocky," and cat "Bogie." He is survived by his wife, Rene Williams, his daughter Scarlett Williams, the family dog "Lucky," his "grand-pup" Rhett, his step-brother Randy Skipper, and step-sister Pasty Skipper. One of his greatest accomplishments was his illustrious high school basketball career playing point guard for Campbellton High School in Jackson County, Florida under now deceased, Coach Johnson. Johnny's spirit of competition was evident throughout his entire life in various capacities. He was an avid Florida State University football fan and considered Coach Bobby Bowden his greatest role model. His passion for living included love of all sports. He loved golfing with his buddies and broke "80" shortly after learning the game. He enjoyed card games with friends. Over the years he drag raced at the local raceway and promoted mud truck racing events around North Florida. He had a successful drywall contracting business until 2007 called TCB Drywall Inc. He was an ardent student of history and most proud of his Southern heritage and roots. One of his crowning moments in life was attending "The Last Confederate Funeral" in Charleston, South Carolina to honor the soldiers resurrected from the Confederate Submarine "The Hunley" in 2004. General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were the biggest heroes. During his last year of life Johnny embarked on a unique journey of faith as he battled stage-four lung cancer. It brought him back full circle to the Baptist faith of his childhood. He was a member of Campbellton Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist Church in Florida, for his first 18 years. In his later years he attended Mandarin Baptist Church. His battle with lung cancer was documented in a blog called "Johnny's Journey to Victory" that touched hearts around the world and inspired many with the family's testimony of faith. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, February 28, at Ponte Vedra Valley, 4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. A Celebration of his Life Reception will be held immediately following at Ponte Vedra Valley. In lieu of traditional flowers the family requests donations to be made to the following in honor of his name: The American Cancer Society, Hospice of Northeast Florida, and the Museum of Southern History. Please sign the online guest book at www.pontevedravalley.com . The family requests casual party attire appropriate for celebration. FSU fans are encouraged to wear their team attire. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com