Billy Williams, 84, of Plant City, died July 5, 2014, at Community Care.
Mr. Williams was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Plant City, to Andrew Jackson Williams and Molly (Fulford). He married his sweetheart Mattie (Valentine) 65 years ago; she survives.
Mr. Williams started working in the local phosphate mines, before he started peddling fruits and vegetables and turning to farming full-time. Mr. Williams worked the land for 55 years and was a pioneer of the strawberry industry as we know it today. He experienced lots of changes from irrigating one acre out of a ditch to simply pushing a button to cover 25 acres.
He was a great mentor to many of the farming community and would always stop to lend a hand or converse with his fellow farming friends. Mr. Williams helped a lot of different ways and provided for many charitable organizations. When it was his turn to be picked for the first pint of strawberries, he was proud to donate those funds, sometimes to his alma mater, Springhead Elementary School.
He will be deeply missed by many, including his wife, Mattie; two sons, Billy Keith Williams (Laural) and Darryl Williams (Gwen); two daughters, Susan Williams and Debbie Norris (Jerry); seven grandchildren, Sherrie Kirton, Jay Kirton, Amanda Brewer, Chris Williams, Sarah Avram, Kacy Richardson and Brittany Warner; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held July 8, at Mt. Enon Primitive Baptist Church. Burial took place at Mt. Enon.
Arrangements under the direction of Wells Memorial and Event Center, Plant City.
Online condolences may be made to the family at wellsmemorial.com.
