Albert "Joe" Williams

1926 - 2023

Albert "Joe" Williams

Jan. 21, 1926 - Feb. 5, 2023

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, just fifteen days after celebrating his long-awaited 97th birthday, Albert J. (Joe) Williams passed on to his heavenly home, surrounded by loving family members. He was born on January 21, 1926, the son of Albert Evant and Mattie Bell (Dubois) Williams and grew up on their farms near Waco and Milam County, Texas. He attended Waco High School and 4C College. While in the Waco area, Joe met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Miller. They skipped town as teenagers and married in Hillsboro, Texas on September 11, 1943. Seventy-seven years later they fooled their skeptics and celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.

Following their marriage the newlyweds moved to Bremerton, Washington, where Joe learned the welding trade at the nearby Puget Sound shipyard. World War II was well underway by this time and Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army. In 1944-45, under the command of General George Patton, he was part of the infamous Battle of the Bulge and the reduction of the Ruhr Pocket, marking the end of organized resistance on Nazi Germany's Western Front. He was discharged from the army on May 12, 1946. Upon his return home he secured a welding job at Circle Iron Works in Waco, and in April of 1951 began a 55 year career at Davis Iron Works, now located in Hewitt. He started at Davis as shop foreman, advancing to President and CEO before his retirement on March 3, 2006. Under his leadership Davis Iron Works was instrumental in rebuilding downtown Waco following the devastating 1953 tornado.

Joe's favorite pastimes included traveling around the United States, raising and showing English Bulldogs, hunting, fishing, watching the stock market, and in his later years, playing dominoes with anyone who he could talk into a game. We know for sure that there are domino players in heaven, because if not, God would have sent Joe back already. He enjoyed fishing for big catfish, sitting in a duck blind or setting out and running trotlines even on the coldest, rawest days of winter. However, his greatest joy was showing love to his and Mary's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Their home, swimming pool and fridge were always open and Christmas was always celebrated at Joe and Mary's home. He took great joy in personally presenting each gift to its recipient.

He and Mary were active in and supportive of their church. When they lived in the Downsville area, attending church every Sunday was a family event. After moving to Belton they attended Lakeview Baptist Church, where he served as Finance Chairman, Deacon, and Sunday School teacher. Every Sunday he sat near the front of the sanctuary so that Mary could join him after she played the organ. After moving back to the Waco area, they rejoined Downsville Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School, served as Deacon and chaired their Growth Committee,

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Elizabeth Williams; a daughter, Ruth Elaine Williams; a grandson, Adam Ryan Bowman; his sister, Helen Ridlehuber; a nephew, William Bryan Beavers Sr.; and a multitude of cherished friends. Joe Williams is survived by a son, Joe Ed Williams and his wife Mayme of Robinson; daughters, Mary Ann Lathern and her husband, Jay of Woodway, Patricia Hodge and her husband, Terry of Nacogdoches, Debbie Rogers and her husband, Bailey of Woodway. His surviving grandchildren are Robyn Hensel and her husband, Marcus of Lindsborg, Kansas, Matthew Lathern of Houston, Holly Bush and her husband, Michael of Bangs, Amy Bowman of Bedford, Alyson Scott and her husband, Adam of Bullard, Erin Mosier and her husband, Matt of Norman, Oklahoma, Kaci Kimbrough and her husband, Jeremy of Nacogdoches, Ryan Rogers of Irving, Seth Rogers and his wife, Katherine of Fort Worth. He has also been blessed with 15 precious great-grandchildren.

Albert Joe Williams was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. He loved his Lord and Savior, his family, his church, his country, and he'll be greatly missed.

Visitation with his family is scheduled for Friday, February 10, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m., and a funeral service honoring Joe's life will be at 2 p.m., on Saturday, February 11, 2023, Both will be at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr., Waco, Texas 76712. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Downsville Baptist Church, 9371 South University Parks Dr., Waco TX 76706, or Mission Waco/World, 1315 N. 15th St., Waco, Texas 76707.