WILLIAMS, James Fulton (Jim)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, December 7, 2003 James Fulton (Jim) Williams, age 84, died peacefully at his home on Dec. 3, 2003. Known affectionately by his family as "Hoppo", he was preceeded in death on July 24, 2002, by Ann, his beloved wife of 58 years. Jim as born in Douglas, Arizona, on April 5, 1919 to James A. and Thelma Fulton Williams. At age 9, he moved to Phoenix and was raised by his mother and step-father, Fred Adams. Wanting to instill a strong work ethic, Mr. Adams encouraged him to begin working at a very early age selling magazines. Jim graduated from Phoenix Union High School 1936, and Phoenix Jr. College two years later. While stationed in Bryan, Texas during WW II, he attained the rank of Captain in the Air Force and served as an instructor pilot teaching instrument flying. It was here Jim and Ann met on a blind date, fell in love and married four months later. After the military, he worked for Zellerbach Paper Company and Walsh Brothers. He joined Friden Business Machines in Houston as a service technician in January, 1947. He switched to sales in May of that year, and transferred back to Phoenix in 1948. Jim stepped up to Sales Manager at Dallas in 1952 an was promoted to Branch Manager at Tulsa Oklahoma two years later. He returned to Phoenix in 1957 as Branch Manager, the post he held until taking on the responsibility of running the Western Region from 1964 to 1967. That assignment behind him, he again took up the reins in Phoenix. Along the way, he was twice honored as Manager of the Year. After more than 30 years with Friden, Jim retired and became a part-time real estate broker, which allowed him time to pursue golf, one of his favorite past times. Spending winters in Phoenix and summers in Pinetop, he and Ann made many long-time friends at Moon Valley and Pinetop Country Clubs. They were also avid Arizona State Sun Devil football fans and were among the first season-ticket holders. Jim is survived by daughters Judy Panks (Gary) and Jan McLaughlin (Jim "Mac"), and grandsons Brian and Paul Panks, and Ryan and Tim McLaughlin. Services will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 11th at All Saints Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Avenue. The family would like to personally thank his Hospice caregivers Marijane Ryan, Erin Jordan, and Carolyn Walker Chapman for treating him with such kindness and respect. You are truly angels on earth. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 W. Flower, Phoenix, Arizona 85014, or Assistance League of Phoenix, 7044 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020. We love you, "Hoppo".