Joe was born on September 12, 1935 in Greenville, Texas to Edward and Virginia Fox Williams. Joe was a Greenville High School Academic and Athletic Scholar and attended TCU on a full scholarship for football and graduated magna cum laude. He was selected as co-captain for two seasons and captain in 1956, where he played Syracuse in the 1957 Cotton Bowl. He was on the All-American Scholastic Team. After graduation, he was selected by Bud Grant with the Canadian football league. He was later inducted to the Greenville and TCU Hall of Fame.
He married the love of his life, Jerry Lee Adle on April 14, 1959 in Dallas, Texas. Joe worked at Williams Diamond Bit and Tool as plant manager and helped facilitate sale to Smith International. He took a career change to set up Towne and Country Travel Agency based in Greenville until his retirement.
Joe is survived by his son, Larry Williams and wife, Lisa of Conroe; daughter, Leanne Farquhar of Commerce; brother, David Williams of Greenville; grandchildren, Joey Farquhar and wife, Lauren of Midland, Taylor and Kenzie Farquhar of Commerce, Josey Williams of Plano, Betsy Williams of Austin, Peter Williams of Kingwood, Nicholas Masella of Conroe; one great-grandchild, Kyndall Farquhar.
He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, Edward Williams and sister, Lynn Hayes.
Pallbearers will be Michael Adle, Joey Farquhar, Eddy Hayes, Nicholas Masella, David Williams and Greg Williams.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Adle, Buddy Dike, Jim Hayes, Dickie Parrott, David Turberville and Peter Williams.