WILLIAMS, JAMES E. "ED-WOODIE," returned to his heavenly father Friday, July 31, 2009 at Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital after a brief illness.
He was 85 years old. Ed was president of the Knights of St. John-Commandery 103 for 53 years. He was a member of the Knights for 67 years. During his presidency Ed was instrumental in the building of the Knights of St. John residences for the elderly on Bernheim Lane, also during his presidency the Knights sponsored an award winning Slo-Pitch Softball Team.
He held many other offices in the Knights uniform rank. Ed joined the Knights on May 24, 1942. Ed was instrumental in bringing the United States Slo-Pitch Softball into Louisville and the state of Kentucky. He was Area Director for over 25 years. Mr. Williams was one of the seven founders of the United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association in 1968. He was spoken of as Mr. Softball in the Louisville area in the 1970's and 1980's. He operated two of the largest softball tournaments in the metro area during those time periods, which were named the Mid-America and the Firecracker tournaments. He was awarded the coveted USSSA President's Award in 1990. Ed ran many tournaments at Trinity High School and other high schools in the Louisville area. On November 22, 1991 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ed was inducted into the United States Slo-Pitch Hall of Fame in the Area Directors category, one of only four individuals from Kentucky to receive this honor. In recent years Ed had worked with his friend Chuck Fisher. Ed was also a member of Ahrens Alumni Association, St. Martin's Brotherhood, and the Archdiocesan Living Rosary Procession. Ed joined St. Martin's Brotherhood on March 19, 1953.
Ed is preceded in death by his mother, Mary B. Williams; father, Ed Williams; and brother, John R. Williams.
Survivors include his sisters, Mary K. Medley and Margaret E. Williams; loving nieces, Patricia Breehl (Cliff), Connie Embry (Glenn); nephew, William E. Medley (Pam); two additional nieces; four nephews; five great nieces; nine great nephews; two great-great nieces; and three great-great nephews.
Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 4335 Hazelwood Ave., with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy.
Donations in Ed's memory may be made to the Smile Train, Mass on the Air, or St. Jude's Children Hospital. Ed's family, nieces, and nephews would like to thank the nurses, LPN's, and aides at Summerfield Health and Rehab for all their care and kindness to Ed during his stay at Summerfield.
Online condolences to www.owenfuneral home.com