Judge James Curtis Williams

The Honorably Retired Justice of the Peace of Kaufman County Precinct 3 James Curtis Williams was born to Castella Jobe and Oscar David Williams Sr on December 31, 1943 in Terrell, Texas.  He received his high school diploma from Burnett High School in 1962.  He enlisted in the United States Army where he served as an airborne ranger and military police until he was honorably discharged in 1968.  After the military, he attended and graduated from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor of Accounting degree and met and married his beautiful wife Parria Lee Cooper of Seven Oaks Texas.  After graduation, he and his family returned to Terrell, where he was employed as the Assistant Vice President of the Republican National Bank in Dallas until 1985.  In 1987, he was elected as the first and only African American Justice of the Peace of Precinct 3 in Kaufman County until he honorably retired in 2006.  In 2023, he became the superintendent of the New Oak Wood Cemetery Association. 

Judge Williams dedicated his entire life as a community leader and visionary for the City of Terrell which was motivated by his strong desire to ensure the success of his hometown while giving a voice to his community.  Judge Williams has an extensive résumé regarding his contributions to the City of Terrell and his community as a member of the Renaissance Club, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge in Oak Cliff, Chamber of Commerce, school board committee, the restoration of Breezy Hill Park committee, the Raise the Roof project, Meals on Wheels, Progressive Voters League, and Women’s Softball League coach to name a few.  He has always stepped up when called to improve his community either through his expertise, time, and resources.  One of his recent initiatives was to foster a partnership between the south side community and Terrell Police Department to ensure that police officers had a relationship with all the citizens they are charged to protect and serve.

He is preceded in death by his wife Parria Lee Williams, parents Castella Jobe and Oscar Williams Sr., sister Laverne Jobe, brother Oscar Williams Jr, niece, Sonya Williams, sister Lois Ivy, and great nephew Chad Jobe. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Paul (Donna) Cooper of Houston, Berteena Williams of Elmo, Gloretha Wallace of Dallas, and Wanatoshia (Corey) Everage of Prattville, AL, his faithful sister Pamela Jobe of Terrell, sister Linda (Willie) West of Dallas, brothers, Larry and Larnell Williams of Dallas, and Marvin (Connie) Williams of Fairbanks, AK.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Donavan Pipkins, Lori Dean (Christian) Hansen, Christopher Cooper, Ericka Boyd, Derrell Wallace, Clhoe (Daniel) Johnson, Dahvontae Everage, Jasmine Wallace, Porscha Boyd, Brittany (Vincent) Thomas, Tyra Everage, and Aiden Thompson; his nieces Shantina (Bobby) Jobe-Polk, Monique Jobe, Nicole Williams, and nephew Oscar Williams III, 11 great grandchildren, and a host of other nieces and nephews.   

Judge Williams loved the Lord, who called him home on  February 7, 2025 at 12:34.  He lived with his three roommates, God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  He was a faithful and active member of New Hope Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, chairman of the trustee board, and treasurer along with being a “bootleg preacher” and spiritual counselor to so many people throughout his lifetime.  Judge will be truly missed for his unparalleled service and generosity and will always be in our hearts forever.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judge James Curtis Williams, please visit our floral store.