James Wesley Williams (Wes), 64, of Appomattox, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017. He was the husband of Nancy Bennett Williams.

Wes was born January 28, 1953, in Enoree, S.C., a son of Julia D. Williams and the late Bill H. Williams. In addition to his wife and mother, Wes is survived by a son, Gregory T. Williams and his wife, Diana and a granddaughter, Mabel. Other surviving family members include a sister, Karol Williams; a brother, Edward S. Williams; a sister-in-law, Patricia B. Williams; and nephews, Ian and Sean Williams, all of South Carolina. Many friends in numerous congregations around central Virginia cherished his sermons and his laughter, and considered him "family".

Wes graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S. C., did graduate work in English at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he and Nancy met. He served several Baptist and Presbyterian congregations in this area and in southern Indiana, and was founding pastor of Grace Hills Baptist Church in Appomattox. Wes was well known as a teacher of English, Shakespeare, and drama at Appomattox County High School, where he led many one-act drama teams to state competition. Those teams brought home three state drama championships. Drama was one of his great loves; he directed many community plays and wrote several dramas for worship. Wes represented the Wreck Island District on the Appomattox County School Board for two terms, being a constant advocate for teachers.

Wes loved traveling, collecting Flow Blue china, kayaking Holiday Lake, baking, and walking on Holden Beach. Leading worship was his ministerial gift. Every worship hour, funeral, or wedding received his personal touch of preparation and inspiration, and pointed to Almighty God.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Appomattox County Schools Education Foundation, which awards scholarships to deserving students. Address your check to the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, with Appomattox County Education Foundation in memory of Wes Williams in the detail line, and send it to GLC Trust, Att. Cheryl Hall, 101 Paulette Circle, Suite B., Lynchburg, VA 24502.

A memorial celebration will be held at Grace Hills Baptist Church, 4320 Pumping Station Road, Appomattox, at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017. One hour prior to this, the family will receive friends in the sanctuary.