Born: July 5, 1932

Died: March 7, 2013

James R. “J.R.” Williams, Sr., 80, of Pucker Street Drive in Niles, Mich., died at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on July 5, 1932 in Lake County, Tenn., to Royce Landron and Betty Mae (Carlton) Williams.  He was raised in Kentucky, and has lived in Niles since 1954.  He was employed for many years at the former Tyler Refrigeration plant in Niles.

J.R. owned and operated the J.R.Williams Boarding Stables on Pucker Street Drive, home to the champion Tennessee Walker “Sun’s Safecracker”.  He also did blacksmithing, and provided snowplowing services to several local businesses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by a grandchild, Tyler Sigman; and by his brother, Gaither Williams and sister, Ernestine Rainwater.

Surviving family includes his children, Tami (& Michael Shafer) Sigman of Berrien Springs, Mich., Victoria (& Linc) Divane and James (& Christine) Williams, Jr., both of Niles; grandchildren, Michael Sigman, Dacey Divane, Finn Divane, Josie Williams, and Patrick Williams; J.R.’s sisters, Eva Joyce Quick of Niles and Deloris Purser of South Bend, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for J.R. Williams will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Matthew Bair of the Bethel Tabernacle in Niles officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, beginning at 2 p.m.

www.halbritterfunerals.com