John L. McWilliams

John L. McWilliams, aged 94, went peacefully to the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, September 29th, 2024, from his life-long home and place of birth in the Nubbin Hill Community. He was born on June 22nd, 1930, to Leon and Annie McWilliams.

John L was a faithful member of Missionary Grove Baptist Church at Nubbin Hill, since giving his heart to Jesus Christ at the age of 17, and eventually served as deacon, superintendent, and Sunday School teacher there for many years. After working on a Coca-Cola truck as a teen with his Uncle John McWilliams, he began mowing grass for Ozan Lumber in 1947, eventually becoming a welder for Ozan Lumber and the Potlatch Lumber Corporation where he eventually retired as the warehouse purchasing agent 40 years later. John L also served in the Army Reserves as well as the Arkansas National Guard where he, along with others, guarded the steps of Little Rock High School on the first night of the nationally historic “Little Rock Nine” episode in 1957.

Before retiring from Potlatch, John L began taking correspondence courses in locksmithing and began working in Nevada and surrounding counties, unlocking car doors, safes, and doing lock repair up until just weeks before he passed away. He never charged any church for lock services, beyond parts and materials.

His life’s aim was serving his family, church and others. He deeply loved his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, knife collecting, watch collecting (and tinkering), and working in the garden with his wife, Lenora—the love of his life–for 71 years.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Home Care and The Springs of Hillcrest for the diligent and professional care they provided.

John L was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Annie, as well as his preborn infant and two preborn great grandchildren, Baby Allen and Miles Merit Allen.

He is survived by his wife Lenora McWilliams, three children, John McWilliams (Sherry), of Rogers, AR, Margie Johnson (Tommy), of Prescott, AR, and Gary McWilliams (Lynna), of Caddo Gap, AR; nine grandchildren, Angela McWilliams, John Stephen McWilliams, Bethany McWilliams, Darryl Pickett, Amber Morrison, Katie Beth Felton, Annie McWilliams, Bonnie Allen, and Eleanor Jerzak; eleven great grandchildren Sophia Goodson, Seraphina Goodson, Daniel McWilliams, Susanna McWilliams, Haylie Pickett, Hunter Pickett, Levi Morrison, Jase Morrison, Emma Kate Morrison, Vivian Felton, Maverick Felton; two step grandchildren, Heather Eshenbaugh (Bryan), TJ Johnson (Jenni), four step great grandchildren, Kristopher Horne, Lindsey Eshenbaugh, Noah Johnson, and Nathan Johnson.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2nd at Brazzel/Cornish Chapel in Prescott from 5pm-7pm

Funeral will be Thursday, October 3rd at 3pm at the Missionary Grove Baptist Chruch.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brazzel Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope. Online condolences can be made at www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com