James Barry Williams

Barry had a servant's passion for community service. He loved teaching and mentoring young men and women for careers in broadcasting and radio. Over almost 65 years in broadcasting he was involved in owning, managing or building for others over 250 radio stations.

Barry also had a passion for supporting the young players of Lady Topper basketball that he announced for over thirty years. On the road he became like a dad to them and their student managers. His enthusiasm for WKU was not limited to sports and he was a common attendee at all things WKU. He graduated from WKU, as did his son and all three grandchildren.

Barry loved watching our community grow and be restored. He had a deep passion for the underprivileged of our community. Being raised as the son of a coal miner, Barry knew that hard work is how people gained hope and stability.

Barry loved animals and was very proud of all the hard work and accomplishments of the Bowling Green Humane Society, for which he was an avid supporter. Barry served on many boards as an advisor and board member. He had his longest board position on his beloved Kentucky Kids on the Block. Their mission was very important to him and he adored all of their staff. He aided in the formation of the Historic RailPark, and served at different times on boards for SkyPAC, Capitol Arts, United Way of Southern Kentucky and others. He was a past president of the local Jaycees and served as the Chairman of the Southern Kentucky Fair board in past, as well as serving as an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.

When Barry was not involved in activities in our community, he loved spending time with his three grandchildren (Luke, Jamie and Jordon) and Lynn, his wife of sixty years. Barry was also very proud of his only child and best friend Jimbo- as he called him. Their relationship was one of a kind and left Jim with the same community pride and drive for service to others.

Barry is survived by his wife Lynn, sister Juile Haviland, brother-in-law, William "Bill" Brashear (Karen), son, Jim (Melodi), three grandchildren (Luke, Jamie, and Jordon Kline (Kevin), and numerous cousins. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ann Williams, and brother-in-law Steve Haviland.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 at Eastwood Baptist Church.  A Celebration of Barry's life will follow at 1:00 p.m..

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages and appreciates donations to Kentucky Kids on the Block or the Bowling Green Humane Society.