Dr. J. Larry Williams

Dr. J. Larry Williams entered his Heavenly Home from the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House on Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Larry was born on April 28, 1942, in Jonesboro, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents, Athel and Lorena Williams.

He is survived by his beloved wife, June Sawyer Williams, daughter LeAnn (Shea) Murry of Benton, sons Lawrence (Victoria) of Rogers, and Jeff (Jennifer) of Jonesboro. He is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren to whom he was known affectionately as GP: Tyler Lawrey of Jonesboro, Jacob and Anna Lee Murry of Benton, and Caitlyn Williams of Jackson, TN.

Larry earned a BA degree from ASU, a MA degree from the U of A, and a Ph.D. from LSU. He taught at Northeast Louisiana State University in Monroe, Louisiana, and Southeast Louisiana State University in Hammond, Louisiana, and returned to ASU and his hometown of Jonesboro in 1974. He retired from ASU in 1997 as Assistant Professor of Sociology, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Continuing Education and Regional Programs. He then began working full time as an Accident Reconstruction Expert. He was one of the first in Arkansas to work in the area of accident reconstruction and testify in court as an expert witness. He received certification as an Accredited Accident Reconstructionist after much training and testing.

Larry was appointed by Governor David Pryor to the Commission for Law Enforcement Standards and Training. During his years of service, he helped develop the current standards for law enforcement training. He also served on the Civil Service Commission of Jonesboro.

Memberships have included the American Association of Sociologists, Southern Association of Sociology, Rotary Club, Society of Engineers, Society of Accident Reconstruction, Texas Association of Accident Reconstruction, and the International Association of Accident Reconstruction.

For over 50 years, Larry was a church organist having begun as a teenager at First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro as a substitute for his organ teacher, Rachel Troutt. He was also pianist and Youth Choir Director at the First Baptist Church while a student at ASU. He served as organist at the First Baptist Church of Monroe, Louisiana, and at the University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Upon returning to Jonesboro, he served as organist at Huntington Avenue United Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He had served as organist for St. Timothy’s Anglican Church for the past six years, where he was a charter member.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, December 13, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church from 6-8 P.M. A celebration of his life will be Wednesday, December 14, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Timothy’s with a Requiem Mass. A private burial will be held.

Special thanks from the family go to Dr. Mazen Khalil and his wife, Linda Nguyen, and the staff of Clompton Clinic for their wonderful care of Larry.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, 419 W. Highland Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401, or the Music Ministry or Care Center of First Baptist Church, 701 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401.