1917
James
2014
James D Williams
November 30, 1917 — December 29, 2014
James D. Williams went home to the Lord on Monday, December 29, 2014.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, 801 16th Street, Moline. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Moline American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to the Helen Venus/Thomas Williams Scholarship fund at the First United Presbyterian Church in Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim was born November 30, 1917, to John D. and Cecil M. (Todd) Williams in Rock Island, IL. Jim began his career in 1935 at Bituminous Casualty Corp. in Rock Island while still in high school. After graduating from "Old Main" before it burned down, he got a desk job in the accounting department.
Drafted into the army in March 1941, Jim served his country before and during WWII in various stations including the European theater. In 1942, Jim and Marsha Bear were married in Monteagle, TN. Jim graduated OCS in March 1943 as Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery and was assigned to the 265th Field Artillery. Marsha died on Easter morning, 1944 at the army hospital in Ft. Bragg. Jim then entered pilot training before being sent overseas to fly reconnaissance and direct the artillery guns from the air during the final months of war.
Following the war, Jim returned to work for Bituminous Casualty in their Chicago office. Jim married Lavon Stoehr in December 1946 in Rock Island. Shortly thereafter, Jim and Lavon returned to Rock Island where he went to work for Quad City Paint. In 1953, they built their house in Silvis where they made it their home for the next 46 years. In the mid 1960's Jim went to work for Nipp's Machine Shop and ultimately retired from Seaberg Industries in 1987.
They raised four children, Thomas (Sally), David (Linda), Diane (Kim Anderson) and Linda (Chris Tipton). Jim and Lavon were married 52 years until her death in 1999 at Loyola Hospital. Three weeks later, his son, Thomas, died in East Moline after a long battle with cancer and complications thereof.
Jesus Christ was a vital part of Jim's life. In 1961, Jim and Lavon began attending the Community Bible Study led by the Rev. George Boyagian. That was the point where he was born again and dedicated his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus. During his active years, Jim was an elder, Sunday school teacher and, with his wife Lavon, a youth leader at the First United Presbyterian Church in Moline. Jim and Lavon were also involved in many other ministry activities over the years, including a spiritual advisor to Aglow International in the Quad Cities. He firmly believed in the Biblical promise of our heavenly home.
In November 2002, Jim married longtime friend, Norma Cross at Word of Life Church in Rock Island. After over 10 years of marriage where they enjoyed traveling that included trips to Ireland, Europe and a Caribbean cruise, Norma died in February 2013.
Jim is survived by his son, David, and daughters, Diane and Linda. He also has 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren plus two on the way (not including the Cross family). He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rosalie Stoehr.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, 801 16th Street, Moline. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by Moline American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to the Helen Venus/Thomas Williams Scholarship fund at the First United Presbyterian Church in Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim was born November 30, 1917, to John D. and Cecil M. (Todd) Williams in Rock Island, IL. Jim began his career in 1935 at Bituminous Casualty Corp. in Rock Island while still in high school. After graduating from "Old Main" before it burned down, he got a desk job in the accounting department.
Drafted into the army in March 1941, Jim served his country before and during WWII in various stations including the European theater. In 1942, Jim and Marsha Bear were married in Monteagle, TN. Jim graduated OCS in March 1943 as Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery and was assigned to the 265th Field Artillery. Marsha died on Easter morning, 1944 at the army hospital in Ft. Bragg. Jim then entered pilot training before being sent overseas to fly reconnaissance and direct the artillery guns from the air during the final months of war.
Following the war, Jim returned to work for Bituminous Casualty in their Chicago office. Jim married Lavon Stoehr in December 1946 in Rock Island. Shortly thereafter, Jim and Lavon returned to Rock Island where he went to work for Quad City Paint. In 1953, they built their house in Silvis where they made it their home for the next 46 years. In the mid 1960's Jim went to work for Nipp's Machine Shop and ultimately retired from Seaberg Industries in 1987.
They raised four children, Thomas (Sally), David (Linda), Diane (Kim Anderson) and Linda (Chris Tipton). Jim and Lavon were married 52 years until her death in 1999 at Loyola Hospital. Three weeks later, his son, Thomas, died in East Moline after a long battle with cancer and complications thereof.
Jesus Christ was a vital part of Jim's life. In 1961, Jim and Lavon began attending the Community Bible Study led by the Rev. George Boyagian. That was the point where he was born again and dedicated his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus. During his active years, Jim was an elder, Sunday school teacher and, with his wife Lavon, a youth leader at the First United Presbyterian Church in Moline. Jim and Lavon were also involved in many other ministry activities over the years, including a spiritual advisor to Aglow International in the Quad Cities. He firmly believed in the Biblical promise of our heavenly home.
In November 2002, Jim married longtime friend, Norma Cross at Word of Life Church in Rock Island. After over 10 years of marriage where they enjoyed traveling that included trips to Ireland, Europe and a Caribbean cruise, Norma died in February 2013.
Jim is survived by his son, David, and daughters, Diane and Linda. He also has 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren plus two on the way (not including the Cross family). He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rosalie Stoehr.
Online condolences may be left for his family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Visitation Details
Friday, January 2nd, 2015, 10:00am - 11:00am, First Presbyterian Church Moline
Service Details
Friday, January 2nd, 2015, 11:00am, First Presbyterian Church Moline
Interment Details
National Cemetery
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