Harold Grey Williams, age 86, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held Friday froom 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 4:00 pm in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.

Harold grew up working in the family store, Williams Bros., that his father and Uncle Amzie founded in 1907. When World War II began, Harold, age 13, became one of the store’s main truck drivers. Harold and Snooky would trade for eggs, load a 2 ton truck and sale the eggs to the Morton powdered eggplant for the service men. Harold’s main truck was a 1940 GMC and the windshield would only roll ¼ of the way down. Cousin Charles, Harold and Snooky would buy cows and take them to the cattle sale in Meridian.

Lots of complaints were expressed to their parents about those “wild Williams boys” driving at top speed, full throttle out. But oh, the memories… Many of us think that after Kate, his mother, had all those children the two youngest brothers were allowed to do whatever they wanted. Oh, the stories we have heard from his brother, Brown, and sisters, Pat, Helen and Janie.

Harold graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1948. He then attended Marion Institute and played football. Soon he transferred to Ole Miss and graduated in 1952. He became a member of the MS National Guard 31st “Dixie Division.” He served as a Captain in the 82nd Airborne during the Korea War. In 1955, Harold, Snooky and his sister Pat and her husband Jack opened Stubbs Dept. Store in Water Valley, MS. In 1958, Harold married Mary Louise Johnson and began a career with his father-in-law, Vernon Johnson, as a Chevrolet and later Chevrolet/Oldsmobile Dealer.

Harold was the father of two children, Kathy and Grey, both born on March 31, 5 years apart. From that time on, life changed for the better. Every spare moment was spent with their children. Vacations included months of travel, sightseeing and eating at wonderful restaurants. And of course, every summer we joined family and friends at the Neshoba County Fair. After 35 years, Harold and Mr. Johnson retired and sold the dealership back to Chevrolet. When he retired, Harold worked with Mary Lou in the flower shop (making sure the money was counted correctly.)

In his casket is a key. He never wanted anyone to take his ring of keys because he was afraid we would lose them. If someone needed a key, he would take it off the ring and give them the single key. Then, he wanted it back the minute the task was completed. Mary Lou always said we were going to bury him with those keys. So, today one key goes to heaven and we are sure there are lots more that we lost that are waiting for him.

Harold loved his church, his community and his friends but most of all he loved his family. However his pride and joy was his granddaughter, Jessica Grey Williams. She was the apple of his eye and could do no wrong. He was Pop to her and to all of her friends. They formed a very special bond of friendship and love. Pop was so excited about her upcoming December wedding. He and Jessica spent many hours discussing the wedding and her future as Mrs. Christopher Pickens. One life ends and a new life begins.

Harold is survived by his daughter Kathy Johnson Williams of Water Valley, MS; his sister, Pat Stubbs of Holly Springs, MS; his brother, M. B. “Snooky” Williams of Water Valley, MS; and his granddaughter, Jessica Grey Williams of Water Valley, MS.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Johnson Williams; his son, Harold Grey Williams, Jr.; two sisters, Helen Schneller and Janie Pickering; and one brother, Thomas Brown Williams, Jr.