James Leonard Williams, Jr., also known as "Brother" or "Jim", passed away on June 7, 2024, in Lompoc, California, at the age of 89. He was born on January 5, 1935, in Jacksonville, Florida. he attended Old Stanton High School in Jacksonville, Florida, and furthered his education at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama.

James proudly served in the United States Air Force for 26 years.

In his military carerr, James was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on May 20, 1957, through the AFROTC program at Tuskegee Institute (University) and served in active duty from April 25, 1958, through his retirement as a Colonel on May 1, 1962.

His Assignments and Duties included:

-Personal Officer duties with the 32nd Fighter Group at Minot AFB, North Dakota from June 1959-October 1962

-Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander witht he 548th Strategic Missile Squadron at Forbes AFB, Kansas from July 1963-March 1965

-Missile Combat Crew Commander with the 394th Stragegic Missile Squadron and Chief/Deputy  Director/Controller  with the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division at Vandenberg AFB, California from March 1965-January 1970

-Wing Officer/Controller/Maintenance Officer with the 319th Bombardment Wing and the 321st Missile Wing, and Squadron Commander 319th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota from March 1971-May 1975

-Squadron Commander 635th Munitions Maintenance Squadron (PACAF) at U-Tapao, Thailand from June 1975-June1976

-Squadron Commander, 7th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Carswell AFB, Texas from July 1976-December 1977

-Cheif, Launch Missile Division, HQ Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska from February 1978-July 1980

-Squadron Commander and Chief of Supply 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle AFB, California from August 1980-May 1982

James is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., initiated through the Gamma Epsilon chapter at Tuskegee University. he was most recently a member of the Omaha Alumni Chapter, Omaha, Nebraska.

James is survived by his wife, Amara Williams, children James L. Williams III (Paula), Gwendolyn R. Williams-Jackson, and Calvin B. Williams (Jocelyn), stepchildren; David, Tamera and Jasmine, grandchildren Nylah, Noah, Mekiah, Leilah Rose, William, Brianna, Andrea, Jonathan, and Makayla, siblings; Joyce A. Williams and Curtis B. Williams, as well as nieces Lisa, Patia, Debbie, and nephew Brandon, and a host of other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James L. Williams, Sr., mother, Mary D. Williams, wife Lucinda J. Williams, brother George C. Williams, and sister Elizabeth W. Morgan.

A visitation will be held on June 24, 2024, at 3pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary in Lompoc, California. James will be laid to rest on June 25, 2024, at 2pm, Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin, California.