James Clarence "Buck" Williford, 79, of Tifton passed away Saturday, March 19, 2005, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Tifton with the Rev. T. Manuel Johnson and the Rev. Silas Carver officiating. Mr. Williford was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Williford's grandsons served as pallbearers.
Born December 12, 1925, in Russel County, Alabama, Mr. Williford was the son of the late James Walker Williford, Sr. and Lee Kite Williford. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Erma Register Williford. Before retiring, he worked at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany; and he was a farmer. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Tifton; and he was a veteran of the United States Army and served during World War II and the Battle of the Bulge. He was Commander of the Combat Infantry Associaton of Tifton. He received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He was also a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the DAV.
Mr. Williford is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anna Mozelle Watson Williford of Tifton; two sons and daughters-in-law, James C. Jr. and Ann Williford of York, South Carolina and Ricky Eugene and Jan Williford of Tifton; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Reba Latrelle and Tommy, Mary Elaine and Randall Simpson and Teresa Lynn Rugg, all of Tifton and Linda Sue and Jackie Tidwell of Nashville; two brothers, John Walker Williford, Jr. of Oregon and William Williford of Quitman; six sisters, Mozelle Evans and Faye Sellers, both of Norman Park and Ethel Frances Williford, Ruthie Dean Williford, Lucy Ann Exum and Edna Earle Wheeler, all of Quitman; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great=great grandchild.