Everett Ray (Buddy Ray) Williams

Everett Ray “Buddy Ray” Williams, also known as Red Williams, was born December 24th, 1938, in Logville, Kentucky. The son of Winford Williams and Mary Helton Williams. The second oldest of six children.

Everett met the love of his life, Eveleyn while she was working at Don’s Restaurant in West Liberty, Kentucky and married on June 23rd, 1962. They had two children, Kevin Ray Williams and Agatha Carol Williams Sexton.

Buddy Ray began his career as an electrician, building electric lines in Florida. After, he joined Mountain Rural Telephone running the line for phones on McCausey Ridge in Menifee Country while staying at a bed and breakfast at Frenchburg. A short while later, he got a job working for Licking Valley Rural Electric as a lineman. He worked there for 42 years before retiring. After retirement, Buddy Ray worked for Amteck in Lexington, Kentucky for nine years.

Bud was known for three things: his love of God, work, and family. Bud gave his heart to the Lord in 1998 after his wife prayed for his salvation for 41 years. Always a good man, he became a great man after his conversion. He loved going to Church, listening to preaching, and heart-felt gospel music.

His work ethic was illustrated by opting to work for nine years after his retirement. Bud loved to work in his yard. One year, he mowed his grass in February “so he would be the first to mow”. Bud, when healthy, was always taking on side work, such as wiring homes. After his wife’s health deteriorated, Bud focused his energy on supporting her. She passed away on his birthday in 2017.

His other passion was his family. Ball games, programs, plays, musicals, graduations, and family feasts were his passions. Bud was a notoriously slow eater, known to savor his food while three and four waves of family filed through the kitchen during get togethers. An annual family reunion in Piketon, Ohio was one of his favorite traditions. Any time he could get together with cousins, aunts, and uncles he was there to visit.

Everett was preceded in death by his father, Winford Williams; his mother, Mary Helton Williams; and his wife, Evelyn Russell Williams; three sisters, Deloris Williams Lyons, Wanda Jean “Sadie” Williams Daniel, and Bonnie Louise “Tommie” Williams Daniel; and one brother-in-law, Joseph Russell.

He is survived by one brother, Joe Williams, one sister, Betty (Ed) Maynard; children–Kevin Williams and Agatha (Mike) Sexton; four grandchildren–Nolan Williams, Alex (Kyle) Franz, Christina (Zach) Cantrell, Sarah (Sean) Cain; two great grandchildren–Ryker and soon to be born sister Reylynn Sarah Cantrell. Besides this, there are a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins that Bud was so proud of.

Bud was a quiet man. He expressed his love in actions more than words. Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Monday January 29, 2024 at the Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home, West Liberty, KY with Jeremy Jenkins, Bro. Mike Sexton, Nolan Williams, Kevin Williams, Bro. Mike Hien officiating. Interment will be held at the Grassy Lick Cemetery, Grassy Creek, KY. Visitation starts at 6:00 PM Sunday January 28, 2024 at the Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home, West Liberty, KY.

Active Pallbearers are Nolan Williams, Zach Cantrell, Kyle Franz, Sean Cain, Joey Russell, Rob Helton

Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Williams, Stanley Franklin, Leon Russell, Kenny Helton, Eddie Barker, Jim Tyra, Elmo Napier, Scott Bradley, Michael Russell, Greg Russell

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