Ben Howard Williams, Jr.

Ben Howard Williams, Jr., age 72, of Riddleville, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, October 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Bobby Williford officiating. Ben's family will receive friends from 12 noon to the hour of service.

Ben was born in Durham, North Carolina and reared in Dublin, Georgia, graduating from Dublin High School. He attended the University of South Carolina, prior to beginning a long career as an electric motor winder, first working in Columbia, South Carolina. Later Ben's profession took him to Wichita Kansas prior to returning to Georgia in the early 90's. Ben retired from WaCo Electric in Sandersville. In retirement, he discovered his true love, farming. At his Riddleville Farm he was known for growing vegetables, especially tomatoes, blue berries and flowers. Being outdoors with his hands in the dirt was his love. Ben was a collector of old tractors and enjoyed working on them. He also loved being with family and doting on all children. Ben is predeceased by his father, Ben H. Williams Sr., his mother, Jimmie Watts Hightower, his step-mother, Mary Gilpatrick Williams and his step-father, Robert Henry Hightower and his daughter, Missy Morrison.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jean Brantley Williams of Riddleville; daughters, Wendy Drake of Gray, April Williams of Riddleville, and Nicole Mead (Rick) of Augusta; grandchildren, Hunter Morrison, Ashlyn Morrison and Tristin Newsome; his sister Ellen Williams Hanson (Bill) of Americus, and niece Quinn H. Hamill (Devin) and great niece Rowan Hamill.

Donations may be made to the Sandersville/Washington County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 71, Sandersville, GA. 31082 or to Tunnel to Towers at t2t.org or to St. Jude’s at stjude.org.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.