Obituary of John McKinley Williams

Reverend John McKinley Williams, Jr., 87, of Greenville, SC, passed away on October 14, 2023 at his home surrounded by family. John was born in Montgomery, Alabama on June 17, 1936. He was the son of the late John M. Williams and Essie Velma Martin Williams. John was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. He earned his BS from Troy State University and his M Th from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. A retired United Methodist Minister, John served over 50 years. John served on the Conference Board of Education, Committee on Worship, Board of Social Concerns, District Committee on Ordained Ministers and District Council on Ministries, as well as many other Boards. John was Rock Hill Director of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), traveling each week to coastal South Carolina after Hurricane Hugo. He led mission teams to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Haiti, Dominican Republic and the Philippines. John led “Lid to Lid” Bible Studies in his churches-reading from Genesis to Revelation. He led Bible studies on his published book, Kingdom Builders: A Study of the Disciples, The First Kingdom Builders. John was a member of the Lions Club – president of three clubs, a member of the Optimist Club, and a Mason. He was an Auxiliary Chaplain at Aiken Air Force Base; he was also a prison chaplain. John’s love of art prevailed in his paintings and as he taught painting to church members. He made and restored wooden furniture; he made beautiful pottery at Senior Action in Greenville. Survivors include his wife, Virginia (Ginny) Culler Williams; his children Teresa Archambeau (Victor), Christine Williams (Christopher Wright), Becky Hall (Adrian) and John M. Williams, III (Susan); 8 grandchildren, Beau, Aaron, Robert, Jane, James, Cecilia, Shelby, and Lilly; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 step great-grandchildren; and his loving dog, Brandi. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his first wife, Cecilia Dantzler Williams and his three sisters, Ruth Shields, Katrine Wright, and Veraldean Stevens. A Memorial Service will be held November 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Wayne Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m in the church sanctuary, prior to the service. Burial will follow in Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in John’s memory to Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; South Carolina Methodist Conference -UMVIM, 4908 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203 or to the charity of your choice.