John Austin “Papa John” Williams, 72, of Ocilla, Georgia died Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held 2 P.M., Sunday at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla with Rev. Huey Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Old Valley Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 until 9 Saturday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Williams was born June 15, 1938 in Thonotosassa, Florida to the late Howard Oliver and Alma Lee Pierce Williams. He moved to Irwin County in 1972 from Florida. Mr. Williams was a retired carpenter and enjoyed gardening. He was a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years: Helen T. Williams of Ocilla; sons and daughters-in-law: Ronnie & Manya McMillan, Sr. of Enigma, James & Lea McMillan of Ocilla, J.W. & Darlene McMillan of Leander, TX and Herman & Cathy McMillan of Rochelle; 13 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; brother: Walt Williams of Butler; sisters and brother-in-law: Jeanette & Johnny Garner, Linda & Jesse Abraham and Doris & Keith Gray all of Thonotosassa, FL as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Stewart.