Funeral services for Flavous Payne Williams, 92, of Morgantown will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Morgantown Church of God in Morgantown. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Reverend Cory Odom will officiate. Interment will be at Morgantown Cemetery.

Mr. Williams passed away on Monday, November 11, 2019, at Marion General Hospital following a brief illness. With his final breaths he was expressing praise to God.

The son of the late Reverend G. G. and Mamie Williams, he was born at Covington, Louisiana, on February 24, 1927 into a large family of six sons and two daughters. By the time he completed high school, he had lived in five states where his father served as pastor: Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Michigan. As a preacher's kid on a schoolyard, he learned at a young age how to stand up for himself and those he loved. He also took his first job at Gerber's Food Market in Michigan when only a teenager to help support his family financially.

A military veteran, Mr. Williams enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1944 during World War II. He was discharged after the war in 1946. He loved our country.

Following the war, he returned to Morgantown, where his father served as the local pastor. He married Ann Stringfield on December 18, 1953, and they have three children: Becky, Martha, and Bo. He worked as a painter supervisor at Keesler Air Force base. Finding his career in the oilfield, he moved to south Louisiana in 1960 with his family to work with Humble Oil Company. They returned to Morgantown in 1965 and he retired with Exxon Mobil after 30 years as a Drilling Superintendent.

Mr. Williams was active in the community and local church, Morgantown Church of God. In the 1990s he helped direct a monthly senior adult fellowship for Morgantown and neighboring communities, and he was a longtime board member for the Morgantown Water Association.

He was an avid bird hunter, and as the "oldest male resident" of Morgantown, he mentored many throughout the years. He had a deep love for his family and his Lord.

Well-loved by his neighbors and friends, he was known to help others in need. He was a source of helpful advice for his family and neighbors, and he had a humorous wit. He will be remembered for his stories, "tell-it-like-it-is" personality, and kindness- and his fast driving on the streets of Morgantown.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Seth Parker Ross; one step-grandson, Shannon Martin; three brothers, Davis Williams, Royce Williams, and Darius Williams; and one sister, June Clark.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Williams, of Morgantown; two daughters, Becky Nelson (Don), of Morgantown, Martha McDaniel (Ricky), of Morgantown; one son, Bo Williams (Velma), of Morgantown; one sister, Maxine Edwards, of Lone Star, Texas; two brothers, Charles Williams (Voncel), of Morgantown, Howard Williams, of Columbia; eleven grandchildren, Scott Ross, Jamie Bracket, Allison Albritton, Ryan Speights, Kristie Crump, Tanner Williams, Brandi Gartman, Snow Koepp, Tiffany Crump, Samantha Morgan, and Jessie Morgan; 30 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pallbearers will be Scott Ross, Ryan Speights, Tanner Williams, Gage Miller, Connor Ross, and Caymon Ross.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.