Joel A. Williams Jr. of Huntingdon was born July 21, 1956, in Waukegan, Illinois and departed this life January 19, 2024, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. He was 67 years old.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 11:30 am in the sanctuary of Huntingdon First United Methodist Church with Dr. Tim Atkins officiating. A reception will follow in the Community Life Center.

Joel was born to the late Joel A. Williams Sr. and Norma DeFir.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Charles Williams and sister Connie Williams. He is survived by his loving wife Lynn Williams, sisters Faye (Chuck) Rukstales, Janie Williams, Laurie (Bobby) Bell, his daughter Lydia, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Joel spent much of his life in Texas. After high school, he joined the US Marines. He retired from the United States Post Office and teaching Junior High School and High School Social Studies.

He and Lynn moved to Huntingdon in 2020.  They found their church home at First United Methodist Church in Huntingdon.  There, he was a very proud member of the church choir. He will be fondly remembered for his humility, quick wit, and the laughter he brought to everyone.

He was a devoted husband to Lynn.  They were married in 2022.  They were college sweethearts and were recently reunited in 2020 after being apart for 35 years. They shared much love and laughter daily.

Joel became legally blind in 2016 and continued to lose his sight over time.  Vision impairment did not stop him from helping his community by picking up trash on Main Street as he walked to and from the gym on the square every day. He never let his blindness get him down and always looked on the brighter side of life. He had a phone ministry, calling folks he knew would appreciate a call.

Joel loved his pets. He gave them and the neighbors dogs treats every day. In lieu of flowers, Joel requested that donations be made to Huntingdon TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) and Kitten Rescue, an organization that is helping reduce Huntingdon's feral cat population at First Bank in Huntingdon or to an animal shelter of your choosing.