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Saturday, November 5, 2022
Starts at 2:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)
James Leroy Williams, age 81 of Prescott, died October 11, 2022, at his home.
Jimmy, as his mother called him, was the oldest of 3 children born to Les and
Laverne Williams in Bisbee, Arizona. Although he left for college shortly after high
school, he worked in the Copper Queen Mine and shared many stories about the “big
hole in the ground” as he called it.
Jim attended Arizona Teacher’s College (NAU) where he met Bonnie Masear and
they married in August of 1963. He began his teaching career in 1966 at Miller Valley
School in Prescott, AZ. Between 1967 and 1969, Jim and Bonnie spent summers in
Flagstaff while Jim pursued his Master’s Degree in Education.
For the next 44 years, “Mr. Williams” became a fixture at Miller Valley School,
touching the lives of many in Prescott. You could hear his laughter echo through the
halls and the change in his pocket jingle, always ready with a hug and a cup of coffee
on his desk. In 1992, the new gym at Miller Valley school was dedicated to Jim and
officially named “Jim’s Gym”.
Most summers he and fellow teachers worked for the Forest Service cutting
many trails around the Prescott National Forest. His love for the outdoors would lead
him to partner with Prescott College and start an environmental education program for
5th/6th graders culminating with a 3 day camping trip on Mingus Mountain that he was
most proud of. Jim requested donations to the PUSD Granite Mountain/Miller Valley
camping program in lieu of flowers.
He served many years negotiating with the school board representing local
teachers and was active in the Prescott Education Association and the National
Education Association. Although he had the opportunity to pursue school
administration, teaching in the classroom was his passion. He would go many places
and hear, “Hi, Mr. Williams! Remember me? You were my 6th grade teacher!”, (or my
child’s teacher or my grandchild’s teacher).
Jim and Bonnie celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on August 31, 2022, in
the house they helped build 50 years ago raising 3 daughters, enjoying life with 2
grandsons and a granddaughter. Jim loved taking the family to cut firewood on Sunday
after church and cutting fresh Christmas trees for relatives. He enjoyed family vacations,
square dancing, and was an active member in the First Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), where he had many friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, and brother, Roy. He is
survived by Bonnie; his 3 daughters, Christi, Cheryl and Carol; his 3 grandchildren,
Isaiah and Noah Henen, and Reagan Williams; brother-in-law, Steve Masear; sister,
Faye; and nieces and nephews.
Husband, Dad and Grandpa, never one to miss a birthday party or a science fair,
a band concert or a play. Every basketball and soccer game, every mile around the
track, dance recitals, graduations, he wasn’t going to miss! We will miss you.
A time to remember and share memories will take place in Prescott at Flinn Park,
280 Josephine St., on Saturday, November 5, 2022, starting at 2:00 pm.
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Starts at 2:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)
Flinn Park
Visits: 8
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