James R. Williams

James R. Williams was born Dec. 15, 1941, the second of two sons of Harvey and Clara Williams, in Detroit. He was baptized in the Episcopal church at 12 and departed this life Dec. 4, 2019 in Longwood, Florida.

James, or Jim as he was commonly known, was educated in Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Mumford High School in 1959 before serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years. After discharge, he worked for Chrysler before joining Michigan Bell as a repairman. A natural leader, he worked his way up to account executive and systems designer and was selected as a union steward. While in Detroit, he also attended Wayne State University.

He later transferred to Orlando, where he traded his RV for a fishing boat, and quickly became an avid fan of the Orlando Magic, the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles and the University of Central Florida Knights. When the weather dropped to 70 degrees, he'd tease his friends and family "Up North" about how cold it was. In Florida, he excelled as a system designer and systems design consultant before retiring from Southern Bell at age 50, after 25 years of service.

After his retirement, he launched JAM (James, Adrienne, Michael) Transportation, a charter bus company that he operated with his family in the Central Florida area and beyond, and excelled in real estate (timeshare sales).

Outside of work, he loved spending time with family and friends. In his youth and early adult years, he enjoyed roller skating and dancing. Later, he came to enjoy time in the outdoors. Any family member who visited his home learned to swim through his guidance in his backyard -- whether they wanted to or not. He also enjoyed fishing on his boat, traveling with friends and family in his camper club, hopping on a cruise, and taking any family member or friend who visited to Sea World, Disney or Daytona Beach. Later in life, he took an interest in politics, working for the Seminole County Elections Office and faithfully following political commentary on MSNBC.

Both on and off the job, Jim showed a penchant and natural gift for tinkering with electronics. As a teenager, he built radios from scratch without training. He moved on to teaching himself to build computers and repair appliances for neighbors and friends. He was always an early adopter of new developments in telecommunications and technology. As a CB operator (Dirt Water Fox was his handle), and later a licensed ham radio operator, he spent hours on the radio conversing with people around the world. He acquired advanced licenses and became an active member of the OMIK Amateur Radio Association, the largest predominantly black amateur radio association in the country, as well as ARRL, the national association for operators; the Orlando Amateur Radio Club; Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society; and the OM International Sideband Society Inc. As N4KZT, he used his training to volunteer at many events and with many organizations, including FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the Seminole County Schools and other emergency operations. He also conducted ham radio training for scores of prospective licensees.

A practical joker and natural comedian, he was known for making people laugh. His family and friends are left with a multitude of hilarious and wonderful memories -- or anecdotes on how he pushed them to strive for better.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and older brother, Valrae. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Adrienne; their children: Sophia Adams, Denise Williams, James Williams Jr., Wanda (Gabriel) Lewis, Alicia (Ali Khan) Harper, Monica Williams and Michael (Tracie) Williams; three sisters-in law; one cousin, Armentha Williams-Mann; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

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