Memorial services were held on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Burnham Christian Church in Jennings, FL.

A celebration of Joe's life was held in Macclenny immediately following his death in November but it was his wishes that his final resting place be at Burnham Christian Church in Hamilton County where he was raised.

Joseph "Joe" Emerson Williams, age 83, of MacClenny, Florida passed away on November 16, 2016 at Acosta-Rua Center for Caring in Jacksonville, Florida following an extended illness.

Joseph was born in Pensacola, Florida on May 18, 1933 to the late Winston Monroe Williams and Zollie Mae Collins Williams. Joe was raised in Hamilton County, Florida where he was a member of Burnham Christian Church. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1950 at the age of 17. Joe completed his high school education through the Marine Corps, was promoted to Staff Sergeant when he was 19 years old, and later served in the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge from the military, Joe attended the University of Florida where he majored in Building Construction and also was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Joe married Jimmie Lee Gresham Williams and started his longtime career in construction. He was a very accomplished man who had partnerships and professional relationships with various contractors,  Mark Little, Richard Walker, Mel Fannin and Buddy Fryer. Joe was also a member of the Lions Club of MacClenny, the Sertoma Club, The Shriners of the Jacksonville Temple, Dawkins Masonic Lodge and was on the Construction Trades Board for a number of years. Joe was an avid Gator fan and was a season ticket holder and Gator Booster for many years. He enjoyed hobby farming on his family property in Hamilton County. He also enjoyed attending Christian Fellowship Temple for worship. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, John Paul Williams and Monroe Williams.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Ms. Bobbie Touchton of MacClenny, FL.; his three children, Winston Wesley Williams of Jacksonville, FL., Joseph M. "Joey" Williams (Anna) of MacClenny, FL. and Cynthia Rosenberg (Rob) of Israel; his sisters, Marian Sullivan (Cottrell) of Fayetteville, OH and Marie Sutton (Paul) of Chesapeake, VA; his six grandchildren, Samuel, Leora, Chana Bracha, Aiden, Dacey and Layla.