74 year old Reverend James Gordon Williams of Smithville died Friday at the Alvin C. York V.A. Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was born in Norene and was a Southern Baptist Minister for 44 years having preached at Bledsoe Creek, Dowelltown, Linwood, Smith Fork, Hickman, Whorton Springs, and Hurricane Baptist Churches. He was also a U.S. Army veteran having served in Korea. The funeral will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Fall Creek Baptist Church. Jimmy Atnip and Jackie Edwards will officiate and burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Ellen Wrather Williams; a grandson, Phillip Tarpley; a son-in-law, Mike Midgett; brothers, Clarence, Claude, Mason, John E., and Glenn Williams. He is survived by his wife, Fran Hodge Williams of Smithville. Four daughters, Connie and husband Butch Sullivan of Corner, Alabama, Glenda Midgett of Lebanon, Penny and husband Kevin Burchfield of Smithville, and Traci Williams of Smithville. Grandchildren, Josh and wife Sandy Sullivan of Fultondale, Alabama, Wesley and wife Tiffany Midgett of Lebanon, Steven and wife Mandy Tarpley of Statesville, and Wesley and Erin Burchfield of Smithville. Great granddaughter, Jordan Nicole Sullivan. A sister, Lucille Weaver of Lebanon. Brothers, Robert and wife Martha Williams of Lebanon, Enoch and wife Doris Faye Williams of Norene. A sister-in-law, Sue Williams of Hendersonville. Nieces and nephews also survive. The family requests that memorials be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Hurricane Baptist Church, Gideons International, or to the American Cancer Society. Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.
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