Obituary of James Thomas Williams

James Thomas Williams III passed away on Monday, May 9th, 2016. He was born June 17th, 1933 to Elizabeth Lodor Williams and Silas Williams at his family home, Grey Rocks, on the side of Lookout Mountain. A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Mr. Williams attended The Bright School and The Baylor School, where he was class Valedictorian and received the Jo Conn Guild Scholarship along with countless other scholastic awards. He graduated from The University of the South at Sewanee, attended Duke University Law School and earned his law degree from McKenzie College in Chattanooga. Following in the footsteps of his esteemed “Uncle Jim,” (James T. Williams Jr.) a White House Correspondent, Mr. Williams began his career in journalism as a reporter and editorial writer for the Chattanooga Free Press. In 1970 he founded Williams, Ripple, and Associates Advertising where, in addition to award-winning commercial work, he handled publicity and public relations for candidates and referendum issues in more than 50 political campaigns. He was interested in genealogy and spent much time archiving correspondence and ancestry for his family. He was also an avid cat lover and supported various animal rescue organizations. A longtime writer with a creative wit and a penchant for satire, Mr. Williams authored several books, including a biography on Anna Safley Houston, and gained a nationwide following with his monthly newsletter, Cats Confidential. Mr. Williams is preceded in death by his beloved brother, Silas Williams, Jr, and his first cousins, William Frierson and Dabney James. He was married to the late Agnes Donelson Williams who died in 1974. He blessed his family with subsequent marriages to Judith McKenzie Sheldon of Cape Coral, Florida and the late Elaine Williams. Mr. Williams is survived by his five children Elizabeth Butler and husband, Forrest, Mary Wolf, and husband, Fred, of Charlottesville, VA; Sarah Gelling, and husband, Scott, of Queensland, Australia; James T. Williams IV and wife, Ashley, of Lookout Mtn. and Susan Williams of Sonoma, CA; ten grandchildren; three nephews and a niece, and their children; and devoted friend, Juliana Ammon of Gambill, MD. The family will receive visitors at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, May, 13th, 2016, followed by a service at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to McKamey Animal Shelter and Hospice of Chattanooga. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. (423) 821-7551 Share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.