James Alison Williams

June 16, 1949 – July 14, 2023

James Alison Williams (known as Jimmy or Jim) was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on June 16, 1949, to Elizabeth Kerrol and James Robert Williams. He passed away in Lompoc, California on July 14, 2023, after suffering many medical issues.

He was born into a military family that would live in several places in Europe and in many of the U.S. states. Jim's high school years were in Lompoc, California where he graduated in 1967 from Lompoc Senior High School. He was active in the Key Club, the choir, and performed in several high school plays. He studied 2 years at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA, then earned his B.S. in Architectural Engineering at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California in 1972 where he attended as a member of the Army R.O.T.C. Immediately following graduation, Jim entered the Army as an officer, duty stations included Baumholder Army Base in Germany and Fort Benning, Georgia.

Jim was honorably discharged from the US Army as a Captain in 1986 and pursued a career as an architect. In 1985 he earned his M.B.A. from Golden Gate University. Jim retired from Ravatt, Albrecht & Associates in Orcutt, CA in 2018.

Jim was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ; and of the Lompoc Church of Christ since 1963. He served in singing groups and as a song director throughout his life. Every month he would meet via Zoom with friends who were in the teen group at the Lompoc Church of Christ in the sixties.

His hobbies included model trains (beginning upon receiving an HO gauge set at the age of 4 in Germany), vintage fountain pens, 3-D printing, and digital art (winning awards in art shows for his creations) and was a lifelong member of the National Model Railroad Association. Of special note was his membership in the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit where he served in many capacities, including treasurer. He designed a device to allow people in wheelchairs to easily access telescopes the club frequently set up for public viewing.

Jim's family members include his sister, Bari Federspiel (Frank), a nephew Philip Graves (Carla), a niece Polly Baldwin (Milt), three great-nephews, Colby Baldwin (Rhiannon), Cooper Graves, and Tucker Graves, and one great niece Camri Smith (Shannon). Jim also had one great-great niece, Georgia, and one great-great nephew Henry. He stayed in touch with many of his cousins throughout the United States. Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents.

A memorial service will take place at 3 PM on Sunday, July 30 at the Lompoc Church of Christ, 138 North "O" Street, Lompoc, CA with a reception following the service, then scheduled worship time will commence at 5 PM.