Services officiated by Elder Sharon Bennett, Pastor Greater Friendship Christian Church
October 3, 2026 • 11:00 am Greater Friendship Christian Church 4640 Springer Blvd • Little Rock, AR 72206
James E. Williams was born July 15, 1942, and was the firstborn son of Ivy Body Williams and Artheria Williams, Sr., both of whom preceded him in death. James graduated from JC Cook High School in 1961. He later received an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Hot Springs Community College. He lived a life marked by faith, family, service, hard work, generosity, and a genuine love for people. James dedicated nearly four decades of his life to the North Little Rock Fire Department, serving from August 30, 1969, until his retirement on October 29, 2008. His service was historic. James was the first African American firefighter for the City of North Little Rock to successfully complete the department’s required training, testing, and probationary period to earn the honor of serving as a North Little Rock firefighter. During his distinguished career, he rose through the ranks from Hoseman to Driver and ultimately Lieutenant. He spent the longest period of his career serving at Station 2, then transitioning to Station 3, and finally retiring from Station 7. James took great pride in being a firefighter and serving within the North Little Rock Fire Department. He cared about his fellow
firefighters, his equipment, and the community he was entrusted to protect. He was also known for his love of cars and for keeping his own vehicles exceptionally well maintained. That same attention carried over to the firehouse, where he made sure the fire trucks at his station were clean and well cared for. After retiring from the North Little Rock Fire Department, James continued working part time as a member of the security team for the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. He genuinely enjoyed the work and the people he encountered. He became a familiar face in Little Rock’s River Market and could often be seen there during the week and nearly every Saturday at the Farmers’ Market. James was a longtime and faithful member of Greater Friendship Christian Church, a church he loved dearly. Over the years, he served on the Security Team and Health Ministry and, in earlier years, was a member of the Mass Choir. Although Greater Friendship remained his longtime church home, James also developed a special love for his adopted church family at Lee Chapel AME Church, which held a special place in his heart.
James was the proud father of four daughters. He welcomed his first daughter, LaRhonda, and later married Patricia Dolphus. During their marriage of 39 years, James and Patricia were blessed with three daughters, Bridgitte, Kristy, and Erin. James loved his girls deeply and took care of them for as long as his health allowed. He was a provider, protector, and constant presence in their lives. As his health began to decline and he could no longer care for them in the ways he always had, the roles changed, and the daughters he had spent a lifetime caring for lovingly began caring for him. James truly never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with almost anyone and was always willing to help someone in need. That generosity extended beyond family and friends to neighbors and people he encountered throughout the community. He developed a special bond with his neighbors on Yarrow Drive, and as his health declined, those neighbors returned the kindness he had shown so freely over the years by bringing food, helping with yard work, visiting, and checking on him. In the later years of his life, James shared a loving relationship of over 20 years with Judy Katrina “Trina” Ross, who held a special place in his life. James was preceded in death by his parents, Artheria, Sr. and Ivy Body Williams; his sisters, Margaret Ann Williams and Beverly
Williams Morris (Steven); and his granddaughter, Victoria Mosby. He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughters, LaRhonda Staggers, Bridgitte Williams Newson (Wayne), Kristy Williams Mosby, and Erin Williams Scoggins (Neal); his sisters, Clarice Williams Landers and Patricia Williams Ellington (LeRoy) of Irvine, California; and his brother, Artheria Williams, Jr.; seven grandchildren: Tyler Newson of New York, NY; Allysen Newson of Miami, FL; Jeffrey, Kaitlyn, and Kathryn Mosby; and Greyson and Kendall Scoggins; his special friend, Judy Katrina “Trina” Ross; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, church family, former coworkers, neighbors, and treasured friends. James E. Williams spent his life serving others—as a firefighter, father, grandfather, brother, church member, neighbor, and friend. He protected his community, provided for his family, helped people whenever he could, and loved his girls fiercely. His life of service, love, and generosity has ended, but his legacy, built through his family, his faith, and the communities he served, will continue for generations in the hearts of all who knew him. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117.
Processional – Clergy and Family Scripture Reading Old Testament – Pastor Craig Hartaway, Church of Deliverance New Testament – 2 Timothy 4:6–8 – Elder Mary Cotton, Greater Friendship Christian Church Prayer – Elder Pat Williams, Greater Friendship Christian Church Song – Greater Friendship Choir, “Expecting Great Things” Resolutions/Acknowledgements Rev. Marsha Browning, Greater Friendship Christian Church Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., City of Little Rock Tributes 1. Reflections through the years – Captain Michael Keener, NLR Fire Department 2. Reflections of a Neighbor – Kennidee Conyears 3. Reflections of Friendship & Fellowship – Captain Maurice Lawry, NLR Fire Department A Legacy of Service – NLR Battalion Chief Ricky Cranford Silent Reading of Obituary Video Tribute Guitar Tribute – Jeffrey Mosby Legacy of a Father – Deacon Wayne Newson, Greater Friendship Christian Church Song – D. Ellis Thomas and the Levites Chorale Eulogy – Pastor A. Neal Scoggins, Impact Inner City Church Recessional Interment Rest Hills Memorial Park 7724 Landers Road North Little Rock, AR Repast Greater Friendship Christian Church B.E.B. Fellowship Hall
(author unknown)
Our daddy was a loving man with a heart bigger than words can say. He was compassionate, giving, and kind, and he was always there for his girls. He was a hard worker. He believed in taking care of his family and doing what needed to be done. As a firefighter, he spent his life helping and protecting others. But to us, he was simply Daddy. He was our protector, our provider, our safe place, and one of our greatest examples of what love looks like. He didn’t always have to say much. He showed us through the way he lived— by working hard, helping others, and giving whatever he could. Daddy, you spent your life taking care of everyone else. Now it’s time for you to rest. We will miss your voice, your presence, your love, and simply knowing you were here. But we will carry you with us in everything we do. You were a firefighter. You were a hard worker. You were a good man. But most importantly, you were our daddy. And we will love you
Rest well, Daddy. Your girls will always be your girls.
During this time of tremendous loss, our hearts have been deeply touched by the overwhelming love, kindness, prayers, and support shown to our family. There are simply not enough words to adequately express our gratitude. We are grateful. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the North Little Rock Fire Department and Chief Gerald Tucker for honoring our Dad and the legacy of service he gave so faithfully for nearly four decades; North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick; Arkansas Home Hospice for the care and compassion shown to our Dad and our family; and our Greater Friendship Christian Church family whose prayers, love, presence, and support have carried us throughout this journey. We also gratefully acknowledge Lee Chapel AME Church; the Little Rock Police Department; the City of Little Rock Office of Executive Administration, special love to The Nieces; Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.; the Little Rock Education Association and the Staff at the Dr. Marion G. Lacey K-8 Academy; the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB); the LRCVB River Market Security Team and River Market vendors; Kathy Flynn and the Lumen Technologies work family; Impact Inner City Church; and the many friends and colleagues who surrounded our family with love and support. To Landa “Shot” Loudermill, Rev. Marsha Browning, Brothers Russell Daniels, James Roberts, Artez Irving, and Quinn Lewis, thank you for taking exceptional care of Daddy EVERY Sunday. Your faithfulness, kindness, and loving service meant so much to our family, and we are forever grateful. A very special thank you to Lana Moore, our Dad’s caretaker, for the exceptional care, compassion, and attention you gave him. Your support meant so much to our family, and we are deeply grateful. To our Dad’s wonderful neighbors on Yarrow Drive, thank you for looking out for him, checking on him, helping when help was needed, and loving him as more than just a neighbor. Your kindness toward our Dad will always hold a special place in our hearts. A very special thank you to our longtime videographer, photographer, and, most importantly, dear friend, Roger Robinson, we love you; “adopted daughters,” Apryl Jackson; and D. Ellis and the Levites for sharing your gifts, time, friendship, and love with our family. To everyone who sent flowers, prepared or delivered food, gave monetary gifts, offered respite care, called, texted, visited, or reached out through social media—thank you. To every person who prayed for us, thought about us, spoke our names in rooms we were not in, offered words of encouragement, checked on us, stood beside us, or simply reminded us that we were loved—we thank you from the depths of our hearts. Your kindness helped carry us during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. Every prayer, every gesture, every word, and every act of love has meant more than you will ever know. With grateful hearts and much love, LaRhonda, Bridgitte, Kristy & Erin “Jamie’s Girls”