Funeral services for Major James (Jim) Berry McWilliams US Army, Retired, 79 of Cookeville, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at The River Community Church with Pastor Steve Tiebout officiating. Private interment including military honors will follow at Double Springs Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home and again Sunday from 1 – 2 p.m. at the church.
Mr. McWilliams died suddenly Wednesday evening, December 9, 2015 at his home.
He was born November 24, 1936 in Waynesboro, TN to the late Taylor and Sallie Davis McWilliams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John McWilliams.
Mr. McWilliams was a Vietnam Veteran, having served in the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets). His 21 year military career spanned several countries and finally brought him to Tennessee Tech University where he taught in the ROTC program until his retirement in 1976.
He and his wife Heidi McWilliams founded McWilliams Realty and Auction in Cookeville and served the community for over 35 years. He served in various public offices and civic organizations including Putnam County Commissioner, Cookeville Evening Lions Club, Putnam County Shrine Club, and Cookeville Masonic Lodge. He was a founding Director of the former Peoples Bank and Trust of the Upper Cumberland (U.S. Bank).
Mr. McWilliams was known for his punctuality and personal motto: Accuracy and Honesty.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Heidi Welker McWilliams (whom he married September 16, 1958 in Munich, Germany); two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Carolyn McWilliams of Kingston Springs, TN, Ted and Terri McWilliams of Cookeville; daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Michael McCormick of Cookeville; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Jasper and Cheryl McWilliams of Cookeville, Dexter and Brenda McWilliams of Lawrenceburg, TN, David and Linda McWilliams of Nolensville, TN; three sisters and brother-in-law, Era Creecy of Lavergne, TN, Effie Brown of Waynesboro, TN, Gail and Michael Martin of Lawton, OK; eleven grandchildren, Lori Razmussen (husband Mike), Dana Moulton (husband Jamie), Richie Head (wife Belinda), Desiree Henley (husband, Phillip), Megan Swanger (husband, Josh), Danielle Meck (husband John), Caleb McCormick (wife Ruthie), and JD McCormick, Taylor, Ethan, and Lily Kate McWilliams; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Ted, Jimmy, Jasper, Dexter, and David McWilliams, Michael McCormick, Bruce Arnold and Shane Ward.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Veterans Honor Guard, 370 S. Lowe Ave. PMB 212 Cookeville, TN 38501.
Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com