Orville "Neil" Williams

Orville “Neil” Williams passed from this life into Glory on Friday, January 8. He was born on April 12, 1926 to Robert L and Malinda Hoskins Williams in Morristown, TN.  He was a member of the Morristown Lodge #231 F&AM since 1951 and the York Rite Association since 1952.  

Neil and his brother, Reese, operated Williams Brothers Repair Shop in Morristown for many years after both left the military.  They built cattle racks for truck beds and worked on everything from tricycles to helicopters.  Neil was known for his ability to fix just about anything and was one of the area’s top welders.  He also was the last in Hamblen County to own and operate his own school bus, one he drove for a number of years.

He held a private pilot flight certificate, having been the first student to be recommended for a private license in 1946 by the late Evelyn Bryan Johnson.  He was known for his expertise in building experimental aircraft, welding just about anything, and after his retirement, building solid oak furniture for his family.  He loved nothing more than going up in an airplane and “turning it upside down.” 

Neil was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and trustee of First Baptist Church of Whitesburg.  He took every opportunity to tell others about his faith and win them to Christ.  His mission field was anywhere and everywhere.  He was a godly father, praying daily for his family and reflecting God’s love in all he did.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Alison & Arthur Reese Williams, his baby sister, Mary Jane Kelley, his son Roger Neil Williams and wife Joy Williams.  Survivors include 2 daughters, Ann (Ralph) Devers of Las Vegas and Donna (David) Stansberry of Rutledge, daughter-in-law Lois Williams of Sanger, TX, step-children, Judy Russell of Russellville, Terry Brooks of Enterprise, AL and Carol Fox of Johnson City, 2 granddaughters, Karen (Ali) Nablo of Las Vegas and Sarah Webb of Sanger, TX, 3 great-granddaughters, Diane (Kyle) Roehr and Jessica (Justin) Kiser, both of Las Vegas, and Bobbi Jo Webb of Sanger, TX, and 2 great-great-grandsons, Seth Roehr and James Kiser  of Las Vegas.  He also leaves behind 2 step-granddaughters, Darla (Dwayne) Corum of Luttrell and Dena (Nick) Charles of Strawberry Plains, step-grandsons, Brandon Russell of Russellville and John Payne of Denton, TX and 4 step-great-granddaughters, Kate Charles, Dalyn Corum, Addie Charles and Claire Charles.  His special friends included Foy Collins and Mary Margaret Burnett.

The family requests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Whitesburg Lottie Moon offering to enable more people to know Jesus. Neil believed in investing in things that last, and flowers fade. Memorials may be sent to P. O. Box 126, Whitesburg, TN 37891. The family would like to thank Regency Retirement Village and all their staff for their love and care of Neil for the past year and a half as well as the nurses that lovingly cared for him at Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

Burial services will be held Thursday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. in Hamblen Memory Gardens. Everyone is requested to wear face masks and observe social distancing.  A register book will be available at the funeral home for those who wish to express their condolences prior to burial. 

Allen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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