March 23,1931 - February 17, 2025

Orsborne Willie Jay Williams was born March 23, 1931, to Williams and Elsie Tryphena (Spainhour) Williams in the community of Wise in southwest Van Zandt County. He was the 10th of 12 children born to Lee and Elsie. He passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 93 in Tyler.

Orsborne graduated from Martins Mill High School in Van Zandt County in 1949. He worked for the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Dallas and for Polleck Paper Company. He served in the United States Army, 1952-1956, and was stationed in El Paso before being deployed to Korea. Osborne married Eula Beth Thronton on February 24, 1951, at the First Baptist Church of Cross Roads. Two sons were born to Orsborne and Beth, Bennie Wade and Willie Jay. Orsborne enrolled at East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce on the GI Bill graduating with a B.S. in Agriculture in 1959. He later went on to coach and teach at Cross Roads in Henderson County and worked for Schlensker Drilling Company.

Orsborne was predeceased by his parents, Lee and Elsie (Spainhour) Williams, spouse Eula Beth Williams, and son Bennie Wade Williams Sr.; brothers, Chester Williams, Henry Williams, Carl Williams, Tillman Williams and J.P. Williams; sisters, Iva Lee Henderson, Alma Chamblee, Jane Phillips and Mary Corley. He is survived by his son, Jay Williams (Joyce) of Mineola, daughter-in-law Samantha Williams of Athens; sisters, Ruby Corley of Corsicana and Gladys Godwin (Don) of Athens; grandchildren, Marshall Williams, Sarah Pearce, Jaron Williams, Jayna Williams, Schee Adams, and Bennie Wade Williams Jr., 16 great grandchildren and two greatgreat grandchildren.

Officiating will be Bro. Jeff Godwin and Bro. Derek Rogers.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Cook, Kenneth Cook, Billy Lee, Mike Sheely, J.T. Trammell, and Steve Trammell. Honorary pallbearer will be Jack Feagen.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, from noon to 1 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Monday February 24, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Post Oak Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to be sent to Hospice of East Texas Home Place 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75701 or to a charity of your choice.