James Ray Williams, Sr.

James “Buddy” was born on Christmas, December 25, 1949, in Monroe, Louisiana, to the late James “Jim” Gardner, Jr., of Delhi, Louisiana, and Dollie Mae Williams-Jenkins of Monroe, Louisiana. He was the first-born son of seven children, and he spent the later part of his younger years being raised by his Uncle Henry B. Williams.

Buddy attended Carver Elementary School during his elementary years. His parents moved to Renwick Addition, and at the time, the school board changed the school zones in the district and Buddy started attending Booker T. Washington Junior High School in seventh grade, then Carroll Junior High School during his eighth-grade year, and on to Carroll High School.

At the age of 17, Buddy went to the Army Recruitment office to enlist in the U.S. Army but he couldn’t because he wasn’t old enough yet. Then as soon as he turned 18 years old, he got drafted and was enlisted as active duty into the U.S. Army at the rank of PV1. He reported to Basic Training at the U.S. Army Reception Station in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and after basic training, he was shipped overseas to Vietnam where he fought in the Vietnam War. Locations of service: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Khe Sanh, Vietnam; Saigon, Vietnam; Ben Hoa, Vietnam; Da Nang, Vietnam; Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam; Fort Lee, Virginia. He saw and experienced a lot at a young age, but God saw him through it and blessed him to return home safely. Buddy received an honorable discharge from active duty and entered into the U.S. Army Reserve, stationed at the Co C, 489th Engr Bn (Cbt) (Corps) in Little Rock, Arkansas for about a year, then decided to end his enlistment in the U.S. Army Reserve. The medals and awards he received during his time in the service were: The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 devices, The Good Conduct Medal, Three Overseas Service Bars, The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with the Palm Unit Citation Badge, Purple Heart, and The Marksmanship Badge, scoring Expert in shooting a M16A1 Rifle.

He loved talking about his time in the military to whomever would listen.

Buddy also worked at James Machine Works, Inc., in Monroe, Louisiana, where he had the skills and resources to do any steel fabrication-related job. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to him tell his life story, he had the pleasure of traveling all over the United States working various jobs using his multitalented skills. He was passionate about nice shoes and was one of the best shoe shiners this side of Louisiana.

Buddy accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age by his grandmother, the late Reverend Mary B. W. Gransberry, Pastor of Grand Temple Pentecostal Church in Monroe. Louisiana. God took his hand and called him home on July 4, 2025, and said, “well done thy good and faithful servant.”

Buddy was married for 6 months. Then he married Dianne Price, and they had one child. Then he married Miranda Black Williams. They had five children, and after several years of marriage, they decided to go separate ways. Years later, Buddy and Donecia Willis had four children.

Buddy was a loving son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his father, James (Jim) Gardner; his daughter, Patricia Williams; his sister, Christine (Chris) Williams; and his brother, Warner (Dougie) Williams; and niece, Katrina White.

He is survived by: his mother, Dollie Jenkins of Monroe, LA; eight sons, James Ray Williams, Jr., of Monroe, LA, Jonathon Williams of Compton, CA, James Black, Anthony Williams, Linwood Lambert of Little Rock, AR, and Richard Williams of Monroe, LA, James Ray Willis (Nugget) of Oakland, CA, and Roderic Willis of Monroe, LA; five daughters, Felisa (Lisa) Williams, Angela Williams, and Denise Williams, all of Compton, CA, Kimberly Summerville of Little Rock, AR, and Jamika Willis, of Killeen, TX; two brothers, Kenneth Williams (Jacqueline) and Anthony Jenkins (Doniele) both of Monroe, LA; three sisters, Edith Loyd and Iylon Collins (Carl), both of Monroe, LA, and Janice Moore of Houston, TX; lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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