Butch Williams

Jerry “Butch” Williams died on September 22, 2025 with his loving wife of sixty years, Betty Jean Williams, by his side. Stubborn to the end, he refused to sleep in that old hospital bed – he said was going to sleep with his wife beside him, and he did. He was born on March 16, 1947 in Chattanooga and lived there all his life. He was a man of deep faith, with mischief in his smile.

Throughout his life, Butch showed what it really means to be a “good ‘ol boy.” He took 1 Thessalonians to heart – he lived a quiet life, and worked hard with his hands. An accomplished mechanic, he used those hands to hold his family close and fixed everything from broken hearts to skinned knees. He tried hard to be obedient as a child, but poor Granny Williams just couldn’t think of enough things to tell him not to do. He loved all animals, a good prank, and buying everyone (particularly Betty Jean) their heart’s desire, especially if it was outside the family budget. He loved gospel music: Patsy Cline and Elvis. His favorite gospel record was “The People that God Gives You,” and just like that song, he loved them and treasured every moment.

He fell in love at first sight and ran off and got married to the love of his life at age 18 and never left her side. He picked Tracy Byrd’s song, “Keeper of the Stars” to be his song to her. He ran the table on anyone foolish enough to challenge him at pool. He let the conversation flow around him at family gatherings, until his incomparable wit flashed on his tongue. It was clear in those moments that he’d just been lining up his shot, and he was rewarded with a crack of laughter every time. He had a story for every grandchild, grandniece, and grandnephew who crawled into his lap. And told every one of those kids he was going to give them a chicken, and he didn’t mean the nice, egg-laying kind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerald Lamar Williams and Katherine Williams, and his daughter, Melody Gaut. Left to remember him are his wife, Betty Jean Williams, his daughter, Lynn Kissner; his son Darren (Marlia) Williams; his beloved granddaughter, Calynn Kissner; his sister, Linda Gail Williams; and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until 3:00PM on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Companion Funeral Home of Chattanooga located at 6018 John Douglass Drive in Chattanooga. Services will begin at 3:00PM in the Chapel of Companion Funeral Home – Chattanooga with Brother Travis Jones officiating. Following the Service, Butch will be laid to rest in the Lakewood Memory Gardens East.