John Edgar Williams, Sr. was born to Edgar John Williams and Dora Bell Collie in Redbird, Oklahoma and grew up in a blended family of 16 children.

He matured as a farm boy in Choska Bottom and spent many years of his life sowing and reaping, tending and growing livestock, and owning 40 acres and a home in Haskell, Oklahoma.

With a strong sense of family, he and his wife of 50 years, Marjorie Clark Wiliams, nurtured, guided, and reared four sons and five daughters in the knowledge of the Lord, love for family, and strong work ethics. Their children are Lillian Lancaster, J.E. Williams, Jr. (1943-2016), Margaret Wade-Lewis (1945-2009), Richard Williams, James Williams, Carolyn Bell, Mary “Liz” Smith, Marjorie Williams, and Steven Williams.

The focus of his life was his faith in God and sharing the gospel of Christ as a church pastor, evangelist, counselor, and writer for more than 50 years. He distinguished himself as the funeral preacher because of his compassionate-filled messages of comfort and hope to grieving families. In addition to pastoring, he served in many capacities in Baptist Associations throughout the state.

Rev. J.E. Williams, Sr. was a chronicler and sharer of history. He lived during a century that progressed from the horse and buggy to the information age and the internet. Man of faith and servant of God, he was sustained for nearly 90 years by his favorite scripture, “…and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6