JAMES "DUMPS" WILLIAMS, 77, was born Oct. 14,
1926, in Bronte, TX, to Roe & Mae Williams. Dumps
passed away Feb. 12, 2004, in Odessa, TX.
Dumps attended schools in Bronte and Colorado City.
He graduated from Central High School in San Angelo
in 1944. After school, he joined the U.S. Navy during
WWII. Upon his discharge from the service, he attended
Sul Ross University where he played basketball. He
graduated from Sul Ross in 1950. Mr. Williams accepted
a coaching/teaching job with ECISD where he remained
until his retirement in 1985. He coached basketball
and taught Texas History at Bowie and Bonham Jr. Highs
and was known as a Texas history buff. James loved his
wife, Gaylia "Gay" Carter (RHS-1951). She was born in
Ranger, TX and was the daughter of Grace Hardin & J.C.
Carter. They were married in 1955 in Ranger and shared
48 wonderful years together. Dumps loved his church,
Crescent Park Baptist, where he had been a member since
1958. Through the years, he served as a deacon, Sunday
School teacher, department director, trustee, choir
member, and was a member of the pastoral search committee
that brought Dr. Johnny Dickerson to Crescent Park. He
had a special heart for church visitation and ministry
to the ill and elderly. His ministry will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Gay; two daughters, Rhonda
Lough and husband, Shane, of Odessa and Tami Gillum and
husband, Jeff, of Waco; three grandchildren who were the
love of his life, Shannon Lough, Landon Lough and Samuel
Gillum; and a nephew, Tom Williams of Portland, OR; many
relatives and a host of good friends.