Earl B. Williams

Earl B. Williams, age 78 of Mansfield, TN, died Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at Henry County Healthcare Center in Paris, TN.

He retired after almost 40 years from Midland Brake & Haldex in Paris.  He was a member of Mansfield Baptist Church where he led the singing for 53 years, served as a deacon, and was a former Sunday school teacher.  Earl was a graduate of Buchanan High School where he played basketball.  He enjoyed the outdoors and farmed for many years.  Earl loved people and doing things for others, always wanting to do something for someone.  He was also a very Patriotic man.

Earl was born November 17, 1941 to the late Franklin Freamon Williams and the late Loren Jaylee Lemonds Williams who were sharecroppers.  He was born in their home that stood in the location of the current Paris Landing pavilion.

He was married December 23, 1961, to his wife of 58 years, Erlene Pullen Williams, who survives, of Mansfield, TN.

Along with his wife, he is also survived by one daughter, Belinda (John) Bowers of Mansfield, TN; one son, David Earl (Jacqueline) Williams of Paris, TN; two sisters, Joyce McNutt of Paris, TN, and Marie (Sonny) Wilson of Paris, TN; one brother, Danny Ray (Katie) Williams of Springville, TN; two sisters-in-law, Karen Williams and Mary Williams; five grandchildren, Kaitlyn Bowers, Tripp Bowers, Abrahm Bowers, Mackenzie Williams, and Maddy Frey; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by four brothers, Jerry Williams, John Shirley (Sheila) Williams, Othel Freamon Williams, and Joseph Darrell Williams in infancy; and one brother-in-law, Jerry McNutt..

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Sunday, September 6, 2020, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 pm at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Bro. Gerry Gallimore and Chad Kennedy officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lori Neal Nolen, Ashton Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Jeffery Allen, Mackenzie Williams, Tripp Bowers, Abrahm Bowers, and Kaitlyn Bowers.  Named as an honorary pallbearer is Jacob Pinson.

Burial will be in New Beaverdam Cemetery in Buchanan, TN.

Memorials may be made to:  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105   or   the Charity of Your Choice.