WILLIAMS, J.D.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/08/2011 J. D. Williams went to be with the Lord Oct. 25, 2011 surrounded by his loving wife and daughters, who together a few hours earlier sung his three favorite songs about Heaven to him. He was born Feb. 28, 1929, in Bradley to Jeff David and Clifford Mildred Williams. His father was a large landowner and farmer. His father died when J.D. was 7 years old. J.D. had a younger brother J.Q. and sister, Mollie Sue. At age 17, J.D. left the farm and went to work on a tugboat on the Mississippi River. About three years later, he joined the Navy and served his country during the Korean War for about four years. He was stationed out of Norfolk, Va. in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Mediterranean in Italy and France. He worked in the engine room of the ship, learning diesel mechanics. He also went to diesel school at the Great Lakes Naval Base. After leaving the Navy, he got a job with Cumtnins Sales and Service, also known as Mid-Continent Supply. He worked on diesel trucks, buses, and oil field equipment. He was sent from Shreveport, La. to Odessa, Texas in oil country. There he met the love of his life, Wanda Waucel Brown. Wanda was only 17 years old, a junior in high school. They became soul mates. He then returned to Shreveport. After many months of phone calls and love letters, Wanda went to Shreveport to meet his family. One week after returning home, J.D. was in a near fatal car wreck. Wanda returned to Shreveport on the train and sat at his hospital bed for two weeks, as he regained consciousness. One month later on Good Friday March 30, 1956, they were married in Allendale Baptist Church in Shreveport. One year later he transferred to Farmington, N.M., an oil boom town. He worked on oil rig engines and rig moving trucks; hard work and long hours. It was there that they had their first child, Amber Sue. She was Dad's pride and joy. Six years later, they moved to Phoenix, where J.D. began to study for the ministry at Grand Canyon College. He carried 12 credit hours while continuing to work full time on diesels. In May of 1963 their second daughter was born, Tamarah Lea. In the evenings, he taught diesel theory at Maricopa Tech in Phoenix for about three years. Eighteen years later they bought five acres of land North of Phoenix, at New River, and built a home. He went to work for Rural Metro Fire Department maintaining the fire trucks and ambulances. In 1992, after being employed for 10 years, he retired. That year shortly before his birthday his mother passed away. In 1995 he and Wanda moved to the White Mountain area after many camping and fishing trips on the Black River. They bought a house in Concho Valley. It was there that J.D. continued his hobbies of gardening, working in the yard, growing vegetables and making flower beds for Wanda's roses. He created a back yard resembling a small park with fruit trees. He made tin men and gave some to little boys of single moms and to the school for Christmas parties. He welded Christmas stars for friends out of re-bar and put lights on them to hang on their houses. At the same time, he was a volunteer fireman for Concho Valley Fire Department. He retired again at the age of 77. In 2004; he joined the Catholic Church with his wife Wanda where she became the organist. J.D. was an ordained Deacon, a licensed Minister, and performed many weddings and funerals. He was always ready to help around the church, cutting weeds and sweeping and mopping the hall at different events. Eventually, Alzheimer's/Dementia took its toll. He never gave up or complained, even towards the end. He was the kindest and most loving man anyone could know. He made friendships that would last a lifetime. Everyone loved him, especially his wife and two beautiful daughters. He was gentle and very faithful to the Lord. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Justin Daniel Reid, Tristan Reid, Troy Layman, Seth, Erin, Kaitlin, Hannah, Shane, Emily, Audrey, Cole, Jeremiah and Jennifer; great-grandchildren: Jocelyn, Evelyn. He was preceded in death by one great-grandchild Ezekiel. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the San Rafael Catholic Church in Concho. Immediately following there will be a celebration of "J.D.'s" life by family and friends with a buffet lunch at the San Rafael Parrish Hall. Funeral arrangements were handled by Black's Show Low Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice Compassus of Lakeside. Their compassionate service and care were outstanding and dedicated to J.D.'s comfort and dignity. "We will forever be grateful."