It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Walter Jefferson “Jay” Williams, 86, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in an Abilene hospice facility.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Bailey Howard Funeral Home Chapel with Walter Williams, Kevin Duval and Sam Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Clyde Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Jay was born September 9, 1939, in Gorman to Osie and Josephine (Hamilton) Williams. He grew up traveling the highways of America and always loved to travel. Jay was a Pentecostal Minister for many years, pastoring in New Castle, Artesia, New Mexico and Carlsbad, New Mexico. He married Mattie Lee Shell in 1959 and lived many wonderful years until she died of Cancer. He married Sharon Ann Story in Lawton, Oklahoma on June 18, 1987. Jay was driven by an endless search for knowledge and a passion for discovering new things on the highways of America. Jay was a faithful man and served on many mission trips to Mexico. He loved his time serving as a Civil Rights Leader, working for Ceasar Chavez. He was also President of Migrant Workers of America and a member of United Farm Workers Association as well as several ministerial organizations.
