James "Bud" Lester Williams, age 89, died Saturday, February 11, 2017 at his home, with his family by his side. Born in Gaston County on June 8, 1927, he grew up in the Howell Mill Village in Cherryville. He was the son of the late Robert Carl and Occie Seagle Williams. James was of the Baptist faith. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. James worked for a number of years for Dover Mills and then along with his son, Jimmy at the former Gulf Service Center. James was a loving and faithful husband, devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather. In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by five brothers, R. C. Williams, Howard Williams, Gene Williams, Kenneth Williams, and Everett Williams; two sisters, Dorothy Blackburn and Geraldine Donovan; and his son, James "Jimmy" Williams Jr.

James is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Shull Williams; four daughters, Carolyn Panther and husband Rick of Shelby, Jessica Thomas and husband Chris of Shelby, Beverly Henderson and husband Todd of Shelby, Bobbie Jo Kale and husband Mike of Shelby; a son, Paul R. Shull and wife Shirley of Waco; nine grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Will Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery, with full Military Honors. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm.

Memorials can be made to: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Williams.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com