Joe Williams Jr.

Joe Williams Jr. 88, was born in Piper, Alabama on August 5, 1934, to Joe and Irene Williams. Joe Jr. lived in Lynch, KY and Charleston, WV before his family moved to Danville, IL when he was 8 years old. When Joe Jr. was a young boy, his loving mother passed. He was then raised by his Aunt Georgia & Uncle Henry Atmore. Joe attended Danville High School for three and half years before graduating from Culp Branch Herrington Township High School, Culp IL in 1952. After graduating, Joe worked at General Motors until 1957 when he was drafted into the United States Army. 

Joe served his country as a military specialist and rifle sharpshooter in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1959. After completing his military obligation, Joe returned to General Motors until he decided to be a police officer. Joe began his 25-year career as a Danville police officer in 1962. He earned an associate degree from Danville Junior College, and rose to sergeant, before retiring in 1987. After retiring from the police department, Joe became an insurance agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance before finding his final career at Danville Housing Authority in 1991. He retired from that role in 1995.  

Joe was united in holy matrimony to Iris Barnett, on December 8,1968. From this union, Joe was blessed with two children, Maria Yvonne and Shelley. 

Joe was a family man who liked to read, travel with his family, listen to music on the radio, and tend to his vegetable garden. Throughout his life, he volunteered his time to community service and served on various boards and charities for his heartfelt causes: Elks Lodge #147, Catholic Charities, Kiwanis Club, and Habitat for Humanity. 

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, Joe peacefully transitioned from life on this earth after his battle with kidney disease. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife Iris Williams, daughter Maria Yvonne (Derek) Williams-Baxter of Forest Park, IL, daughter Shelley (Darryl) Goodwin of Olympia Fields, IL, grandchildren Morgan Williams, of Miami, FL and Kyndell Goodwin, of Olympia Fields, IL, brother-in-law Dwight Adkins of Danville, IL, cousin Judith Stafford of Danville, IL, cousin Stephanie Morris of Danville, IL, cousin Maryann Williams of Joliet, IL, cousin Brenda Rice of Detroit, MI, cousin Eddie Grear of Detroit MI, cousin Victor Thompson of Shaker Heights, OH, cousin Brigitte Thompson of Springfield, IL, and cousin Nedra Darnell of Chicago, IL, and a host of relatives and friends.  

Visitation will be held on Saturday February 4, 2023  from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 304 E. Williams St., Danville, with burial following at 1 p.m. at Springhill Cemetery, Danville. Family will be present at 11 a.m.
 

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