J. Walter Williams was born in Jackson, Missouri, November 10, 1896, and moved with his family to Texas while he was a small child. He was converted at an early age under a brush arbor at Pleasant Valley Church in Brown County and was baptized by Rev. S.E. Steele. On May 26, 1918, he was married to Miss Tessie White at Gap, Texas. They had no children.

During the summer of 1918 Walter was licensed to preach at Stagg Creek Church, of which Rev. Garrett was pastor. His father-in-law, C.L. White, was licensed in the same service. On that afternoon Mrs. Williams was baptized by Rev. Garrett.

Walter served in the armed forces of his country during World War I, during which time he was stationed at Waco, Texas. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry by Belle Plain Church of Brownwood. He studied in Howard Payne College and in Southwestern Baptist Seminary, receiving a degree from each institution. He served as pastor of several churches of Paluxy Association, with more time at Tolar than with any other church. He was elected Moderator of the association in 1929 and presided over that one annual session. In 1935 he was called as pastor of Birchman Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth and continued there until his death from a heart attack on August 18, 1941.

1999 HOOD COUNTY TEXAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY