My Dad

On this page I will attempt to describe one of the most self-made persons I have ever known in my life, my dad, J.B. Williams. My daughters, when they were little, gave him the name Daddy Byrd. And many still call him that to this day.

He will truly be one of my "Most Unforgetable Characters"

Born in 1918, dad came through The Great Depression and times were hard. I can't even begin to imagine what that was like. But I do know from what I have read, it surely wasn't an easy time in our history. I guess that's what made him so tough. We worked hard growing up. He was always building something or making something in his shop, with our help of course. If he wasn't doing that he would find other things for us to do. Fence in the 8 acres, plant a garden, cut the fields, clean the barn and on and on. I guess growing up like he did, made a man want to make something of himself and show some accomplishments in his life, because he always did.

Even though he only had an 8th grade education, he decided to make something of himself in spite of his circumstance. He found a trade that he worked hard at until he mastered it with very little help, mostly from his own initiative. He not only was able to make something of himself but he raised a family of four sons(Tommy, Harold, Roger, and Jeff), two more sons came later (Bruce and Brett), total of six, built a house in the country, help start a Baptist Church and help many people along the way, all these past 50 years.

God blessed him in many ways. He was able in later years to complete his GED and receive his diploma. But only after all of the things mentioned above. This after working for Vanderbilt University in the Mechanical Engineering Department for over 27 years as a Mechanical Laboratory Technician. Later after he left Vanderbilt, he worked in the same position at Tennessee State University for another 13 years. I had the privilege of working with him in the M.E. Department for the last 5 years before he retired.

Dad was a very outgoing person. He was a soul-winner for the Lord. He never met a stranger and love to share his faith with everyone he come in contact with. It was his never ending energy that I saw week after week growing up, that kept him going out into the neighborhood and witnessing for the Lord and asking folks to come and worship with us at the Baptist church.

The church he helped to start had its first cottage prayer meeting in our home, is still going strong after these nearly 70 years. It was started as a mission in 1953 and became a church in 1954. Scottsboro Baptist Church can be seen on Facebook today. Pictured below is what the church looks like today.

One of his great loves was country music. In my younger years, he played the guitar along with mom and me trying to follow on guitar and sometimes mandolin(not very good though). I had to give that up later to take up the piano, it was easier. But dad mastered the guitar fairly well. Even in his later years, he still got the old Gibson electric out sometimes and plays along with some of his old favorite songs.

Mom was a beautiful alto singer and played along with dad at home and sometimes even at church. She went to be with the Lord in November,1988 at the age of 67.

He authored a book called "Nostalgic Events in Music City, USA"
The book included stories concerning many things including family and friends. The book is no longer available

Dad passed away February 17, 2004 at the age of 86. He wrote this book and had it published. Many have enjoyed it in the past. He was loved and will be missed by many. He was truly and is one of my most unforgetable characters in my life.

Dad relaxing in his swing(left) and Patty and dad(below)

Patty with Dad in the old front porch swing

Dad with one of his great grandsons, Tyler and great great grandchildren, Olivia, Caleb and Deeanne

A complete detailed history

JOHN BYRD WILLIAMS, 1918 -2005

Father: John Cypress Williams, Mother: Cora Harper Williams

Born: December 14, 1918 Place: Bomar, TN (Near Baxter, TN) in a log cabin. His father worked for Tennessee Central RR moved the family to Nashville when J.B.was 6 years old.

They lived in North Nashville, (Cab Hollow and Mud Flat areas) in RR housing.

J.B. enjoyed playing country music with family and friends from Nashville to Clarksville where one of his brother’s and one of his sisters lived. His love for music was one of his passions. He continued to play music most of his life as a pastime.

He married: March 20, 1937 to Agnes Knight. J.B. was 18 yrs old and Agnes was 16 yrs old. They were married in Franklin, Ky and were married for 51 years. Agnes died on November 23, 1988 at the age of 67.

Agnes lead J.B. to attend church with her and he was saved at about 21 years of age.

JB was saved at Calvary Baptist Church on 35^th Ave., later helped the church move to Bowling Ave. off Murphy Road to an old childrens home which was converted.

J.B. helped many students at Vanderbilt in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. where he served for over 27 years. Then he continued to help students at Tennessee State Univerisity for 13 more years. Always striving to make students see the value of life and worth in God.

In 1950, the family built a house in Scottsboro and moved there in 1951. He promised the Lord to start a church in the community. In the spring of 1953 he organized a number of men in the community; Jesse Martin, Charlie Green, Robert Carter along with brother-in-law Dan Watson and began having cottage prayer meetings in his home and then with their help started a mission church in Jesse Martin’s basement. On Easter Sunday in 1954, there were 164 in attendance in Bro. Martin’s basement.

Within a few months after that spring, Grace Baptist agreed to sponsor the new work and took over the mission and bought the property here on this corner in the summer of 1954 and set up a tent and began the basement of this church building. The basement served as a church until 1957 when the educational addition of the building was constructed at a cost of $27,000.

J. B. played a big part in leading the church in its early years as it began to grow.

Newer members may not know J.B. very well but J.B. served as deacon chairman for over 30 years all total and Sunday School Superintendent for over 15 years and teacher for over 30 years at Scottsboro.

Visitation was his strong point and his emphasis here at the church and community of Scottsboro was to bring them in. He loved visiting people of the community trying to lead them to Christ and bring them into the church. That was what he loved most.

J.B. also helped many indigent people in the North Nashville area over the past many years, buying food and loaning money and giving money to needy widows.

J.B. passed away February 17, 2005

6 surviving sons. Tommy, Harold, Roger, Jeffrey, Bruce and Brett.

Favorite songs: “ON THE JERICHO ROAD”

“MANSIONS OVER THE HILLTOP”

“JUST A LITTLE TALK WTH JESUS”

“KNEEL AT THE CROSS”

“HE SET ME FREE”

Favorite verses: Mathew 6:33 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Mathew 17:20 If Ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed

Ephesians 1:13 you were sealed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God