Billy Ray Williams, or Bill as he was affectionately known, was born in a small Texas town called Hemphill. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Vidor and eventually made it to the town they were to call home for many years, Warren Texas. There, as a boy, he enjoyed romping in the woods with his many siblings and one summer he broke his arm. Back then people didn’t run to the doctor with just any old minor ailment, so the neighbor packed his arm in clay and that was all they did until it was healed. Times were tough, but Bill was tougher. He played football and graduated from Warren high school in 1956. He then took a job with several of his brothers at Texaco, but all they would let him do was sweep the floors. After a few weeks of sweeping Bill sailed that broom toward the ceiling and drew his final check! He then was lucky enough to land a job at Dupont, especially considering the fact that he and his best friend David Fountain sent their applications in the same envelope. They were both hired and Bill work there until he retired after 31 1/2 years. Not being one to sit around, he enjoyed spending time with people and working with his friend Gene Holmes and his water well service. While working with Gene he fell from a backhoe bucket, hit the tire on the way down and broke his femur. Once again proving how tough he was, he recovered and didn’t even have a hint of a limp in his stride. Bill married Nell Meads from Deweyville in 1962. They settled on the side of Highway 69 in Pigeon Roost Prairie and eventually had two children. Bill was a carpenter and with his brother Hollis and many good friends he designed and built the beautiful brick house they spent their lives in. He loved to hunt, fish, and travel. You would often find him hunting deer on his nephew’s lease or out in West Texas hunting dove. He spent many hours on Lake Livingston running trotlines and having fish fries with family and friends. He went to Colorado many times where he would fish and enjoy the scenery. he loved to take a back road just to see where it would lead. Bill really loved to help people and fix things. He was always there to lend a helping hand - or two. If it was broke he could fix it and if he didn’t know how to fix it, you better believe he would figure it out. With a rope and pulley he could fix anything. He’s probably in heaven right now looking for something to repair. Bill had a kind heart, a helpful spirit, and a big personality. He will truly be missed by his family and many many friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, James and Alice Williams; brothers, Earl, Jr., Hollis and Leroy Williams and a sister, Alice Faye Langham.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nell Williams; son, Aaron Williams and wife, Robin; daughter, Karen McCurdy; grandchildren, Zoe Williams and Cullen McCurdy; sisters, Doris Adams, Agnes Thompson and Oma Moore; and a host of other family members and friends.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 2 pm at the Thompson Cemetery in Warren. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 12 noon until 2 pm at the funeral home.
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