James (Jim) T. Williams, Sr., 86, a longtime resident of Pepperell died peacefully December 12th at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, MA after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born December 18,1929 in Hanover, New Hampshire, the son of William and Anne (Schmidt ) Williams. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire and received his Masters Degree in Agriculture and Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While in school, he was in the United States ROTC program for four years before enlisting in active duty from 1951-1953. He served 22 years in the US Army Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 30 years at the Middlesex County Extension Service in Concord, MA as an agricultural agent providing education to fruit growers in the Middlesex County area, retiring in 1993. He was a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Parish, worshipping at St. Joseph's Church in Pepperell since 1963 and was a member of the choir for several years.
He enjoyed gardening, winemaking, watching sports (particularly baseball), music/singing, crossword puzzles, target shooting, bird watching and anything involving US history. He loved socializing with his friends and family and liked to participate in community and senior center activities in recent years.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace (Hill) Williams of Pepperell, MA; seven children; James T. Williams, Jr., of Chamblee, GA, Lawrence J. Williams of Pepperell, MA, Aurora A. Jokinen of Pepperell, MA, William B. Williams of Pepperell, MA, Carl H. Williams of Rindge, NH, Martin P. Williams of Oceanside, CA, and Julianna T. Whalen of Townsend, MA and a younger sister, Bonnie Rardin of MN. He felt blessed with 16 grandchildren, one predeceased grandchild, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother and sister, Francis and Nadine Currier of NH.
Relatives and friends may call at the Marchand Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Pepperell, MA on Monday, December 19th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Parish, worshipping at St. Joseph Church, Pepperell. Burial in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon, MA.