James Robert Williams

James Robert Williams
'Jim'
STANLEY -- Mr. Williams, 85, of Stanley, North Carolina, died Friday, April 22, 2011, surrounded by his family at Gaston Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, son of the late Frederick Marshall Williams and Rosanna Glaser Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Williams. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eleanor Squitieri Williams; son, Mark Williams and wife Georgette of Wendell, NC.; daughter, Susan Williams Ragland and husband Bob of Winston-Salem, NC; daughter, Nancy Vinesett and husband Bob of Little River, SC; grandchildren, Jeremy Williams of Raleigh, NC; Katie Stobie and husband Mike of Peyton, Colorado; Carly Ragland of Blacksburg, VA; Jenny Vinesett of Winston-Salem, NC; Jim and Emilee Vinesett of Little River, SC and a great grandson, Dylan Stobie; Sister, Barbara Williams Wiess and husband Bill of Vienna, VA, several sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Williams was a veteran of WWII, serving in the US Navy as an Aviation Cadet. After graduating from Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh, PA, as a mechanical engineer, he joined Talon, Inc. in Meadville, PA retiring after 40 years employment. In addition to engineering assignments, manufacturing management, system development, planning and purchasing assignments, as general manager-textile fastener division, he had oversight of 6 manufacturing plants from Massachusetts to Alabama. In that position, he represented Talon, Inc. at the NC Textile Manufacturers Association, The NC Textile Foundation, and The American Textile Manufacturers Institute. Mr. William's community service included, at various times, the American Red Cross, Schiele Museum, Stanley Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, American Legion and NC Seniors Health Insurance Information Program. He was one of the original members of Hospice of Gaston County and served on its board. He was also vice chairman of the current Gaston Memorial Hospital Board and was active during its planning and original construction. A lifelong Episcopalian, Mr. Williams was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church of Gastonia, NC, where he was a member of the Pacesetters Senior Group and of the Adult Sunday School Class.
A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Williams, will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Gastonia NC, with the Reverend Linda Baker Pineo officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday, at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 1201 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 or to Hospice of Gaston County, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia NC 28053. Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly is serving the Williams family.