Edward Perkins Williams

Edward Perkins Williams, 82, passed away on June 5, 2024 after a 6-month battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Perkins was born on November 15, 1941 in his home in Buckhead, GA, where he spent his early years. At 9, his family moved into his mother’s homeplace in Greshamville, GA, which would later become his retirement home. He worked on the family dairy farm and would often wake up at 4:00 am to milk cows before school.

Perkins graduated from Greensboro High School where he played football and ran track. He studied Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia and graduated in 1965. On August 20, 1967, he married Janie Hudson of Madison, GA. In 2023 they celebrated 56 years of marriage. From 1967 to 1969, he was a proud member of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Japan where he lived for two years with his young bride and served on two ships — USS Hollister and USS MaHan.

Perkins later worked in sales and marketing at two family-owned businesses — Kinnett Dairies in Columbus, Georgia and Benson’s Bakery in Bogart, Georgia. Throughout his career, he was known for his leadership skills and his passion for helping others.

But more than anything, Perkins was a devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, sharing stories, walking in the woods, watching movies, and vacationing together. No matter what challenges they faced, he was always there to offer guidance, support and encouragement.

In his free time, Perkins enjoyed playing golf and competing in softball for the Senior League softball team in Madison. He was an avid reader with a talent for writing, public speaking and teaching – especially adult Sunday School. He was an active member of the St. James Methodist Church in Athens and Fork Chapel Methodist in Greshamville. He volunteered at the homeless shelter (Bigger Vision) in Athens for many years. He was also an active member and leader in the Kairos Prison Ministry and the North Georgia Walk to Emmaus community.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janie Hudson Williams of Greshamville, his daughter Laura Williams (Andrea Thomas) of Charleston, SC; son Bob Williams (Carolyn) and grandchildren Kal and Charlie of Asheville, NC; sister Gerry Fordham (Gene) of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia; and brother-in-law Eldred P. Hudson, Jr. (Bob Rossier) of Tryon, NC.

A funeral service will be held for family and friends at St. James Methodist Church in Athens, GA on Tuesday, July 2. A visitation will be held there at 10 am followed by a service at 11. A graveside service will take place at Nacoochee United Methodist Church located in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Bigger Vision of Athens, Inc. (https://www.bvoa.org), P.O. Box 8022, Athens, GA 30603. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of  arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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