Longtime Greenwood businessman Wayne Claude Williams Jr. is also fondly remembered by family members as a passionate golfer and a wonderful father.
Mr. Williams, 88, died at his home in Madison on Wednesday after a long illness. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel of the Cross in Madison.
“He was wonderful, and he taught me everything about golf,” said his son, Travis Wil-liams. “We had many times on the golf course together growing up. That was our special time together.”
Mr. Williams was an avid golfer and spent three or four times a week golfing. He played all over the state and during college life competed against the famous Arnold Palmer, his children said.
“He would hit golf balls out in the cotton field on West River Road,” Travis said.
Wayne Williams was a letterman on the golf team at the University of Mississippi and later joined the Mississippi Golf Association and the Mississippi Senior Golf Association. He holds the record for winning the most Greenwood Country Club Championships.
Mr. Williams was born on July 21, 1928, in Greenwood. After graduating from Greenwood High School and attending the University of Mississippi, he served in the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force and Army. In 1953, he returned home from the service and joined his father’s business, Delta Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac-Nissan.
He began running the business in 1956 and continued to do so until 2001, when he sold it to Michael Joe Cannon. It now is part of the Cannon Motor Co. group of dealerships.
Mr. Williams also was passionate about the University of Mississippi. The family would attend basketball games on weeknights, making the trip all the way to Oxford. His children remember him as someone who “had a twinkle in his eye, and made you laugh,” they said.
Nephew James Williams Jr. remembers him as a great golfer who was friendly to everyone.
“He was a great guy, and he always treated me really well,” said James. “I worked with him for 23 years, and he was always fair.”
After retirement, Mr. Williams and his wife moved to Annandale in Madison.
In addition to Travis Williams and James Williams Jr., Wayne Williams’ survivors include his wife, Martha Hamilton Williams; three daughters, Fran Ross of Clarksdale, Elizabeth Laney of Marietta, Georgia, and Martha Gregg of Greenwood; a brother, James Williams; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
• Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
