Fred Williams - Newport

Fred Williams, 91, of Newport died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Jonesboro. Born in Stillwell, Okla., he was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ in Newport where he served as a deacon. He graduated from Konawa High School in Oklahoma and attended Seminole Junior College, Oklahoma Baptist University and what was then Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. Williams worked for the Soil Conservation Service, retiring after 30 years of service, and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served as president of the Newport School Board and as a state commissioner for the American Legion Baseball League for 13 years.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary Jane Simmons of Lake City; and three grandsons, Adam Simmons, Seth Simmons and Joseph Simmons.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Lee Lewis Williams.

The funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Friday at Holden Avenue Church of Christ with Paul Evins officiating. Burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery under the direction of Jackson's Newport Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Adam Simmons, Seth Simmons, Joseph Simmons, Raymond Davis, J.C. McMinn, Francis Gay and John Chronister.