James Leroy Williams

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.