John Daniel Williams

John Daniel Williams was born in Jacksonville, Florida on May 31, 1948, and passed away on October 11, 2025, in Conyers, Georgia. He grew up in Pensacola, FL where he graduated from Escambia High School. He received an Associate's Degree from Pensacola Junior College, and later, a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University, Fresno in Industrial Technology. He worked as a project manager and a plant manager at several different companies. His strengths were preventative maintenance and streamlining processes while maintaining an emphasis on positive employee relations.
John served in the United States Navy from 1971-1976 during the Vietnam War. His last duty assignment was at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California where he participated in two cruises to Vietnam on the USS Coral Sea. He was always very proud of his service, the skills he learned, the discipline, and the lifelong friendships. He was super pleased about his accomplishment of becoming, like his father, a "Shellback" - a sailor who had crossed the equator after going through an initiation ritual. His time on the ship also solidified his love of boats and the ocean, including storms at sea. (His grandson Ernie IV Submitted his military service information into the Library of Congress Veterans History Project https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.114462/)
It was during this time in Lemoore that he met, fell in love with, and married his wife, Doreen in 1974 in the California Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first time she met him, he regaled her with his well-known humor. After she asked him about what he had done with his life, he replied, "I was born at a very early age." That started a life of humor that carried them through 51 years of marriage and helped them survive the best of times and the toughest of times. He was 100% committed to his marriage and his family. He told Doreen every day that she was beautiful and that she was his best friend. He loved his children deeply and was very proud of each of their accomplishments. He adored his fourteen grandchildren!
John's strengths included his love for learning. Even this last year when he wasn't very mobile, he watched YouTube videos about one of his hobbies-woodworking. He also loved science, history (especially World War II and the Vietnam War) and always the news. As a lifelong Democrat, he could talk endlessly about politics, much to the chagrin of family members and friends who held vastly different views.
John was a faithful, devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ being his Savior, and he served in many different capacities throughout the years. He loved service opportunities. As Sunday School President he mentored his counselors who were new members, as Ward Mission Leader, he kept close tabs with the fulltime missionaries.
In California he spent countless hours pruning and harvesting grapes on the church welfare farm where the grapes were dried into raisins. There were many times he provided service without being asked. Being an ordinance worker for eight years at the Georgia Atlanta Temple for the Church was the highlight of service in his life.
John will be missed, but we know we will see him again. Forever loved.
Celebrations will be as follows:
Casual drop-in: Wednesday, October 15, 5-8 pm 1072 Park Circle, Conyers
Viewing: Saturday October 18, 2:00 pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1275 Flat Shoals Rd. Conyers
Celebration of Life: October 18, 3:00 pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1275 Flat Shoals Rd. Conyers
Private burial: October 20, 2025, 2:00 pm. Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA
Predeceased family members
Roy Williams -Father
Helen Williams - Mother
Raymond Williams - Brother
Surviving Family Members
Wife: Doreen Williams
Children:
Rebecca (Ernie III) Smith
Sylvia (David) Williams
Arla Williams
Barry (Melanie) Williams
Bradley (Macy) Williams
Grandchildren:
Ernie IV
Nigel
Emmaline
Max
Chase
Isabelle
Lillian
Natalie
Madison
Hannah
Jade
Felix
Theodore
Emrys
Brother: Evan Williams (Ingrid)
Sister: Denise Langan (Kevin)
Condolences may be submitted online at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Rd., Conyers, GA, 770-483-7216.