Johnny Coleman Williams

On Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 6:40 p.m., Johnny Coleman Williams (also known as John) peacefully departed this life at Southern Maryland Hospital after a brief illness. Johnny was born in Lincoln County, North Carolina on November 19, 1940, to the late Willie Rufus and Rossie Tinsley Williams. Johnny was baptized at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cherryville, NC at an early age. He graduated from Newbold High School in Lincolnton, NC.

Johnny moved to the DC area in 1961. On July 7, 1999, he was united in marriage to Joan Gilbert. They shared a loving home and enjoyed having family and friends over for cook-outs and family gatherings. Johnny retired from Teamsters Local 639, where he worked as a truck driver and forklift operator at the Washington, DC Convention Center. He also worked as a driver for the movie industry; driving many movie stars. Johnny enjoyed telling stories about his experiences driving movie stars around the DC area.

Johnny Coleman Williams joined the St. Stephen Baptist Church, Temple Hills, Maryland on September 7, 2014, under the leadership of Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr., Senior Pastor.

Johnny's hobbies were watching the Redskins lose and fishing. He was an avid fisherman and could not wait for his annual 2-day deep sea fishing trips to Massachusetts. Johnny always bragged about catching "the big fish." John was very friendly and outgoing. He loved his family and friends, and he had many of both. He had an infectious smile that will be missed by all. John enjoyed playing "Bid Whist" and traveling to family reunions.

Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Joan G. Williams and stepsons: Jeffery (Ricky) Gray and John (Poncho) Gray; five sisters: Ruth Ann (Charles) Mitchell, Sherbia Jean Jones, and Nelvenia Williams of Hickory, NC; Clara Barnes and Amelia Vinson of Lincolnton, NC; three brothers: Gene Smith of Charlotte, NC; McArthur Smith of Philadelphia, PA, and Glenwood Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Martha Smith Williams; five brothers: Larry Williams, Raymond and Bishop Smith, Thomas P. Williams, and Reuben Williams; one sister, Annie Ruth Russell.

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