Jimmie Williams

Jimmie Maurice Williams, age 90, passed away June 27, 2024, at his home in Leander, Texas. Jimmie was born on August 1st, 1933, in Valley Mills, Texas, to Jimmie Judson Williams and Vera Mae Hargus Williams. 

Upon graduating from Baylor University in 1955, Jim began a 31-year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force, and married his wife, Carol Rae Stewart Williams, on December 23rd. In 1967, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions to save his C-130 aircraft, its passengers, and equipment from a jungle airstrip ambush with no loss of life. A year later he settled in Kansas City to work for Trans World Airlines while continuing his patriotic service in the Air Force Reserve. The completion of his military service in 1986 capped a stellar career, recognized by the Legion of Merit award and the rank of Colonel. 

Jim served in various positions of management within Trans World Airlines, including the training academy, passenger safety programs, and the L-1011 airframe. It was a busy season with an airline career, flying evenings and weekends with the Air Force Reserve at Richards Gebaur AFB, and raising three daughters. Jim and Carol made Kansas City their home through his retirement from TWA in 1994 and until Carol’s passing. 

Jim and Carol were happily married for 60 years when she preceded him in death on February 5, 2016. Jim is survived by his three daughters and their spouses: Susan and husband Gary of Mount Vernon, MO, Linda and husband Tom of Olathe, KS, and Jan and husband Shawn of Lee’s Summit, MO. Jim is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. His life was greatly blessed and enriched by his many family members and friends throughout the years. He was a committed Christian and served throughout his adult life as teacher, deacon, and elder in his local church. He lived an exemplary life before us all. On March 5, 2017, Jim married La Nora Jean Elrod Barnes, who was also widowed. They were high school sweethearts from years before, and they have enjoyed these past seven years together. After moving to her home in Leander, Texas in 2021, Jim was embraced and loved by Jean’s three daughters and their spouses: Kim and husband Gary, Kay and husband David, and Kristi and husband Mike, as well as her three grandchildren. 

His body will then be to Kansas City where a visitation and funeral service will be held at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO 64138. This service will be announced in the upcoming days. Jim will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Carol, at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. The family would like to sincerely thank the nurses with Resolutions Hospice and the exceptional caregivers with Cornerstone Caregivers that gave Jim compassionate care in his final days.