Obituary of Johnnie A. Williams

none John Asa Williams (Johnnie Williams) was born to Ted and Lurenna (Eddy) Williams on July 25, 1918 in Bearmouth, Montana. He died of cancer on November 25, 2005 at St. Peter Hospital - Olympia, Washington. Here is his story: “I was born in Bearmouth, MT, in the foothills of Grant County. There my Dad and Mother took up a Homestead where their crops never failed. I was the 11th child of 14 children. My jumper was in a cow’s stantion, and this in later years entitled me to leave many doors open, as I was ‘raised in a barn’. We moved to Washington and settled in Olympia in 1929. These were lean years and people provided their own entertainment. Our family was well equipped in numbers and made up a family band. We traveled about the countryside in a Model T Ford, singing and playing for folks of all walks of life. The granges in the communities sponsored us on the local radio station. After graduating from high school, I traveled to Butte, Montana, singing in most of the hubs, pubs and theaters in the area. I came back home (Olympia) a little older and wiser (I think) and in the course of time a beautiful young lady came into my life. Nettie Morgan was born and raised in Olympia. She was also raised on country music.” “Nettie and I found ourselves performing on various programs together and later harmonized ourselves down the center aisle and became man and wife.” This excerpt is taken from the biography Johnnie wrote on the back of the 1976 record album, “Cascade Country”, on which they co-perform with Chuck and Pauline Griffin. Johnnie was a resident of Olympia, WA for the better part of 76 years. During the past nine years, he spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona, with his wife Betty. Johnnie graduated from Olympia High School in 1938. As noted above, he then became an entertainer, accompanying his singing, harmonica playing and yodeling, on guitar. To his credit, 3 of his 4 children and half his grandchildren play guitar as well (several are singers). After playing the “honky tonks” in Montana he returned to Olympia to “settle down” and was employed as a bread/pastries delivery specialist for the Continental Baking Company (Wonder/Hostess). In later years he managed the Odd Fellows Memorial Park. Johnnie was married to Nettie L Morgan in 1941, in Olympia, WA. They spent 54 superlative years together. Nettie died of ALS on April 19, 1995. Having much love and companionship yet to give, Johnnie married Betty E Hanley. Johnnie was a lifetime member of the Olympia First Baptist Church, were he served in many capacities. He was also a Grand Master at the Olympia I.O.O.F. lodge, were he was a member for 60 years. He has memberships in the U.C.T., A.O.U.W. and 1918 club as well. Johnnie was also a “Good Sam” member and Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout troop 101, which met at John Rogers Elementary School. At some time, he entertained them all with his singing and yodeling. Johnnie’s hobbies/interests included: Singing/performing (which included his entire family), writing poetry, square dancing, traveling/camping, gardening, woodworking, building homes for birds, serving the community and loving/elevating every member of his family (and their spouses), down to his great grandchildren. Johnnie will no doubt best be known to those outside the family, as a great entertainer. He has appeared on several old time TV shows, including the old country “Hay rides”, various children’s programs (with Northwest well-knowns, which we won’t mention), as well as a radio program in the 1950’s with Okie Armstrong and the “Chamberlain Carboys”. He was known for his yodel and musical antics, doing “song skits” about Lye Soap and Onions. He could have you rolling in the isles with his comedy songs, or bring you to your knees with Gospel. He and Nettie have been featured on record albums as well, including “The Old Tenino Music Festival”, “Cascade Country” and “The Family Album”, which includes their four children. Johnnie now sings in a heavenly choir, with a celestial orchestra. Johnnie never left his family out of the spotlight. The four children were performers as well and would do their own songs, routines, or simply add harmony vocals to accompany Dad and Mom. God and family were his greatest love and he was always involved in his children’s and their children’s lives, traveling whatever distances it took, to be with them (including Alaska, Montana, Massachusetts and Germany). Johnnie lived scripture and even died reflecting it. Cherishing every moment he had in the final minutes of his life, listening to his family serenade him. His legacy continues through the instruments and voices of his children, grandchildren and great grands. Randy Travis sings these lyrics in one of his songs: “I guess it’s, not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it’s what you leave behind you when you go.” John A. Williams has left so much behind, having given of himself right up to his last minutes, before meeting with the Lord. He left a family who will always cherish him and the time they had with him. He left a blessing of music and harmony in their hearts and soul. He left dignity and unselfishness, courage and steadfastness and a heart of giving and pleasing others that will be imbedded in all who knew him. Johnnie was generous to a fault, or so many thought. But he could not live any other way. In Matthew 25:34-40, it reads: “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked and clothe you?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to me." This is the testament of John A Williams; loving disciple, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather (etc.) and FRIEND, to all who knew him. He leaves you all with a heartwarming smile and a kiss! Johnnie is survived by his wife Betty – Mesa, AZ.; son, John L Williams (& Virginia) – Bonney Lake, WA.; daughters: Karen Wilson (& Frank), Lacey, WA.; Susan J. Johnson (& Jerry), Grangeville, ID; and Paula A Williams (& special friend Mike), Reno, NV.; stepdaughter, Barbara Weight (Jack), Mesa, AZ; stepson, Claude Buley (Moe), Longview, WA. and his brother, Walter Williams - Kelso, WA. Johnnie had 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. We are so thankful to have known and loved him. He will be sorely missed by all. “How Great Thou Art”