Celebration of Life for Billy James Williams

Billy James Williams' life began in Rockwall, Texas on December 10, 1920.  He was an only Child delivered at home by a cigar smoking doctor who came in a horse and buggy. When he was about three years of age, his family relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he was raised and educated.

Billy met the love of his life, Ruth Gillespie at Night's Coffee shop where he worked.  She would often come in to sit and have coffee. Their courtship included Billy riding his bike to meet Ruth as she'd climb into a tree to watch as he came towards their meeting place. They later married on May 24, 1941, in Hillsborough, Texas. They had two children, Bill and Janine. Billy and Ruth's uniquely beautiful love spanned seventy-two years.

Their great love for each other was evident to family and friends. They were loved by many as Billy & Ruth or  Uncle Billy and Aunt Ruthie.  Together they made many friends. They not only gave love, but they received immense love as well.

After they married, Billy went to work for North American Aviation. Along with many other citizens in the U.S., Billy felt a civic duty to lend a helping hand in support of World War II. He was part of an inspection team which built P-51 airplanes.  He worked there from August of 1941 to November of 1943.  Billy then volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corp. He was a Right Gunner on the B-29 Flying Fortress, one of the largest and newest planes at that time.  He flew many missions in the Western Pacific and Asiatic Pacific campaign.  In September 2018 as a veteran, Billy was selected for the 39 ^th Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. This year on Veterans Day, November 11 ^th Belmont Village will host  AFA Veterans Day breakfast "A Salute to Veterans' before the Dallas Veterans Day Parade. His framed portrait will be unveiled to go on the wall  of portraits of American Heroes. Many dignitaries and former military personal will attend the breakfast.

One of Billy's  two hobbies was golf.  It is an understatement to say that he loved golf.  He was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club, He played many great courses from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida entertaining customers and friends...  He made several visits to the masters and at eighty-nine, made is first and only hole in one.

His second hobby when he wasn't playing golf was wood working. He was very talented and turned many beautiful lamps out of hardwood tree limbs he found.  He would spend hours in his garage wood shop. working on lamps and projects  His attention to detail and staining made everything he made beautiful and treasured. Many family and friends received his lamps or other wood creations.

Billy was also a man of faith. He and mom loved their church, Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas. Part of the founding members of the FUN Club. Fun, Unity and Nonsense. These church husband and wives club existed over 50 years and is well known as part of Cliff Temple.

Billy resided at Belmont Village for the past 5 years until his death.  He was their oldest resident. During those 5 years he made many friends and was loved by all. The entire working staff and executives provided him with so much love. The staff said he was like a grandfather to them. As his son I would like to thank the executive offices, staff and friends for the overwhelming love and care given to my dad over the five years and especially the last days of his life.

Billy was a man who loved his family, treasured his wife, Ruth. Billy had an especially close relationship with his daughter, Janine, who passed away suddenly on October 24, 2021.

Billy James Williams departed this life on October 23, 2022, at the ripe age of 101. He lived a rich, full life, abundant in monumental and memorable moments.  He lived a life worth honoring and celebrating. He was truly loved and will be deeply missed.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Gillespie Williams, daughter, Janine Williams Nelson and daughter in law, Annette (Annie) Temples Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memory: son, Bill Williams; granddaughters, Courtney Wynne Williams, Noelle Nelson Kowzer and her husband Reed as well as Nicole Nelson Guzman and her husband, August; grandson, Scott Witty; great grandchildren, Kai Wadley, Autumn Nelson Guzman, and Chloe Nelson Guzman; along with a host of other family, relatives, and friends.

Special thanks to:

The staff at Kindred Hospice
The entire Staff and Executive Offices of The Belmont Village

Many family & friends for their support. Special thanks to cousins, Mike and Susan Stimson for all the calls, cakes, US Open Golf hats, gifts and love over the years.
Please no flowers

Contributions are to be made to: Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas and the Belmont Village Working Staff Yearly Christmas Contribution Fund, please Mail check to Cliff Temple Baptist Church, 125 Sunset Ave, Dallas, TX 75208or donate online at clifftemple.org/give .