Howard Williams, Jr

Howard M Williams Jr passed away on Sep 1, 2024, at Northside Cherokee Hospital in Canton, Georgia. Preceded in death by Wife Melba E Dillard Williams, son Michael Williams, sister Sarah Ruth Williams, and parents Howard M Williams Sr and Audrey Mitchell Williams.

Survived by Sons Mark Williams (Carolyn), Jerry Lawley (Kay), grandchildren Amanda Holcomb, Diana Williams, Matt Lawley (Jennifer), Josh Lawley (Megan), and Great Grand Daughters Ava, Sophia and Vada Lawley. Also survived by brother Jimmy Williams (Patsy) and many Nieces and Nephews.

Howard left high school prior in his junior year and volunteered in the US Navy during World War II where he served in the Pacific on the USS Orvetta from 1945-1946 completing his service in Shanghai, China. Upon returning from the war, he graduated Jefferson County High then attended Birmingham Southern College. Howard worked in sales at Moore Handley Hardware's electrical department followed by Phelps Dodge Wire and Cable then closing his Career at The Okonite Company where he rose from salesman to District Sales Manager to Vice President of Sales.

Howard met Melba Dillard at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio where their desire to learn ball room dancing kindled a love that they celebrated for 52 years of marriage.

During his Career, Howard traveled often being away from home Sunday evening until Friday but always took Melba and young Mark to dinner out on his return. Those long trips, often measured by the number of cigars smoked, took him thru every short cut and backroad in the South. Mark particularly remembers time with his Dad on Saturdays doing grocery shopping, then enjoying 1-1 lunch, and finishing with chores around the house where he taught many skills that are used to this day. In retirement, he drove Melba to the beauty parlor every Friday to get her hair done.

Howard served as assistant scout master for Boy Scout troop 216 in Trussville where he supported Mark and the other scouts in their journey to manhood. He was a member of the 1st Baptist Church of Trussville.

Howard cared for Melba for years in Trussville as her health declined moving with her to Georgia late in life to be able to be in the same facility together. He insisted on handling her laundry himself and walking down to have lunch with her each day.

After Melba passed, Howard reconnected with Dale Jordan. The two cared and supported each other after the loss of their spouses. Together they survived the trials of Covid in a senior living facility. After Dale moved back to Dothan due to her health, Howard remained in Georgia moving to Canton to be close to Mark.

A highlight of Howard's memories was the opportunity to be on an Honor Flight trip from Birmingham to Washington DC for WWII vets. Howard also enjoyed genealogy, documenting the long tradition of his paternal line serving in every war of this country dating back to the Revolution. Humble yet Proud he and his family answered the call when our country needed them.

While his driver's license was good to age 100, he told the agent at age 92 that he never had a driver's test. In fact, he learned to drive a jeep, then a bus during navy basic training in Chicago. When he returned from the war and applied for a driver's license the question came up as to "can you drive" to which he said yes.

Howard was a photographer and did his own darkroom work. He took many photographs from WWII China to the Birmingham area of the 40's and 50's to landscapes across the US. Howard was a lifelong learner and avid reader - surprising his family by ordering an Uber in New Orleans to the WWII museum in his 80's. He was also a storyteller, regaling anyone in the vicinity with

Howard had BBQ in his blood from his father being a partner with Ollie in the famous "Ollie's BBQ" in Birmingham, thru a homemade pit, to enjoying many different BBQ restaurants throughout the south, even enjoying a full BBQ dinner for his 97th and last Birthday.

Whether it was the BBQ in his blood or just determination, Howard was diligent in his self-care consistently engaging in fitness activities until the end. He simply refused to move to a wheelchair.

Howard lived a long and full life being born just prior to the Great Depression, not appearing in the 1930 census due to family losing their house and business, stepping up as part of "the Greatest Generation" to defeat the evil of WWII, a productive career defined by tremendous sales growth and many awards, talking to his son on 9/11 saying "we are at War", to loosing Melba "the love of his life", finding Dale who gave him a purpose again, to his final week attending Sunday Worship for 1st Baptist Church Trussville on his iPad as a 97 year old.

Howard, in his normal meticulous manner, began his final day making his bed, dressing in a starched shirt, washing his coffee cup, walking to breakfast with his friends at the Arbors on Sixes Road in Canton. Less than 24 hours from that breakfast and leaving his room "ship shape", Howard went home to his savior and his beloved wife Melba.

We are blessed and humbled by his example.