James R. "Billy" Williams' Obituary
James R. (Billy) Williams passed away peacefully at his home in Richmond, California on October 7, 2014 with his wife by his side. He was 85 years old. Billy was born in Oakland, California on December 24, 1928 to parents, Walter C. Williams, Sr. and Zilica Foster Williams. After graduating from McClymonds High School in 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Air force. He was married to Dorothy Jean Alexander on April 5, 1950. The Air Forced offered Billy, Jean & their three children the opportunity to see much more of the world than the San Francisco Bay Area. They lived on Air Force bases in Denver, Colorado; Alamogordo, New Mexico; Cocoa Beach, Florida and Wiesbaden, Germany. Billy also served in Guam, Korea and Thule, Greenland. He retired after more than 21 years of service in 1969. He then went to work for California State Automobile Association (AAA) as a bodily injury claims adjuster, retiring after 25 years of service in 1994. Billy was also a musician most of his life, starting at age 10 singing in the church choir. Soon after, he learned to play the drums and performed (singing & playing the drums) mostly in jazz bands for more than 60 years. His last “gig” was with Roy Henderson’s band at Ristorante Amoroma in Moraga, California in April 2013. Billy also loved golf, serving as a marshal at Chuck Corica Golf Complex in Alameda, California and was an active member of the Golden Gate Par Chasers Golf Club for many years.
Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Dorothy Jean Williams of Richmond, California; 3 children, 3 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, various nieces & nephews and a host of friends and admirers.
Memorial service for James R. (Billy) Williams will be held Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611.
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