Joe B Williams

Joe Bynum Williams, 91, passed peacefully, surrounded by family and pups on January 13th, 2017 in Heath, Texas, where he was living with his Daughter, Debra, and her Husband, John.  Joe and his wife Faye Williams lived in the Steele Creek Community in Charlotte for 20 years and moved to Clover, SC in 1976 when the airport expanded southward.  Faye had passed away after a long illness in September 2016. They had a beautiful life together during their 63 year marriage.

Visitation will be at 2:00 pm and funeral service at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 19, at the Clover Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglass Key officiating.  Interment will be in Woodside Cemetery in Clover.

Joe was born on January 27, 1925 in Union County, Marshville, NC, son of G. Bundy and Ethel Webb Williams and raised by his beloved Step-Mother Colon Edwards Williams.  Joe joined the Coast Guard in 1943, thinking he would guard the US coastline. However, was he surprised when the USS Bayfield was changed to Navy control during WWII. He served in four invasions across Europe and the Pacific Theaters: D-Day, Battle of Southern France, Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Joe was a musician and welder on the ship. His Gibson guitar traveled across the globe with him. After discharge, Joe traveled the Carolinas and Virginias with a band named The Carolina Boys and played venues from West Virginia to Georgia and also on the radio. 

Joe and Faye Falls from Clover married in 1957 and created a lifelong partnership.  He wore a uniform and drove a Cadillac the day they met. Joe kept his promise to Faye that she would always drive a Cadillac if she would marry him. At last count, they had owned 23 Cadillacs during the years.  Joe worked at The Credit Company as Finance Manager, opened his own business called Auto Parts, and became involved in auto races at Charlotte area tracks. Joe had a talent for announcing and promoting, never shy from a microphone or trying something new. Joe formed Stereo Joe Sound Service which provided the public address systems for NASCAR tracks and enjoyed all the wonderful friends in the Nascar “family” where everyone had a nickname.

In his spare time, Joe was in at least five movies that were filmed in the Carolinas. The most notable movies were The Color Purple and Hard Driver.  After retiring from racing and the other businesses, Joe became a land developer in York County, SC. He prospected and sold the land, driving customers across the properties in an open air jeep he bought for $50.  Faye managed the accounts. They developed beautiful neighborhoods and enjoyed being part of the community growth.

During retirement, Joe was contacted by his USS Bayfield shipmates and invited to join the Bayfield Reunion Group. He quickly moved in to a leadership role, and served as President for five years. Always the team, Joe and Faye hosted reunions and shared their experiences with the Bayfield Brothers and their families.  Joe recently was the sole WWII Veteran at a ceremony honoring him in Rockwall, Texas.

Joe was a Member of the Clover Presbyterian Church, where he had served as an Elder. He was a Shriner and Mason in the Steele Creek Masonic Lodge for many years. He is survived by Daughter Debra Williams Harper and Dr. John E. Harper, Sr. of Heath, Texas;  three  Sisters; Ellen Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, Maureen Cook of Marshville, NC, and Marilyn Bost of Aurora, CO. He had one living Brother, Ken Williams of Marshville, NC.  Joe was preceded in death by two other brothers: G. Bundy Jr. and Jamie Williams.

The family is extremely grateful to the team of Caregivers, neighbors, and friends who have provided care and support for Joe & Faye during the past year, with very special thanks to Karen Stafford, CNA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clover Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 202 Kings Mountain Street, Clover, SC 29710, or the charity of your choice.

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