Funeral services for Otho Neal Williams, 86, of Greenville will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 4 at Boone Funeral Home, Greenville. He died Sunday, December 31 at his home. Burial will follow in the Indianola City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
He was born May 11, 1931 to Oliver (Dock) and Ada Lee Williams in Dockery, MS. He graduated from Skene High School, Skene, MS in 1949 as valedictorian of his class. He attended Delta State University with a scholarship to play baseball as catcher. In 1950 he joined the Navy to serve in the Korean War and served until 1953. He retired from Spear and Jackson Saw Company as manager of the tool and die department. He was a disabled veteran and member of the American Legion and Mason Lodge.
Otho’s pride and joy in his life was his family. He cherished the times they were together and was so proud of all their accomplishments. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodwork, but his greatest passion was fishing. Otho was probably one of the greatest fishermen of Lake Lee, Lake Washington and Lake Ferguson. Family, friends and even strangers benefited from his times of fishing.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Polly. He leaves a daughter, Tina Gilder (Gary) of Cleveland and a son, Gary Williams of Athens, GA; two granddaughters, Jennifer Berryhill (Anthony) of Olive Branch and Jessica Grace (Dave) of Atlanta, GA; grandson, Neal Williams (Mary Beth) of Spartanburg, SC; two great granddaughters, Shelby Neal Berryhill and Abigail Williams; and 3 sisters, Osway Gilchrist of Greenville, Audrey Allen of Fordice, AR, and Jo Gilchrist of Collierville, TN. He also leaves many loved nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation one hour prior to services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Gideon’s or to a charity of your choice.