After decades of helping people find Jesus Christ and secure their eternal spot in heaven, Troy Jackie “TJ” Williams, 79, departed this world on June 25, 2022, to meet his Savior and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

There is nothing that TJ loved more than God, his family, fishing, talking about fishing, and ice cream.  TJ was born January 14, 1943, in Fayetteville, Arkansas and married the love of his life, Bobbie Jean Barker in 1961.  He was raised by his great-grandparents until their passing, followed by Elsworth and the late Helen Winn.  He ran wild with his two brothers Don Winn and the late Andy Winn.  As a kid he was known to be a rambunctious spirit who would run off to find mischief wherever he could.

In 1962, TJ and Bobbie welcomed their first son, Troy Eugene Williams, who went to be with the Lord after only two days of life.  After three years, TJ and Bobbie gave birth to their second son, Ricky, in 1965 and their first daughter, Jackie, six years later in 1971.

TJ was ordained in 1966 as a minister and began pastoring churches shortly after.  In the 1970’s, TJ invented an alternative fuel carburetor that would run on pure alcohol instead of gas.  He spent the 80’s repairing carburetors and in 1989, TJ and his family moved to Osceola, Missouri to open a small business repairing alternators and starters.

TJ was promoted to one of his favorite roles in 1985: grandpa.  As a grandfather, TJ was strict yet loving and provided well for his grandchildren, doting on their every achievement, whether it was as simple as a t-ball game, as complicated as hooking up a 25-year-old printer that he insisted was still in good condition, or as esteemed as a college graduation.  He loved to pester people and his grandchildren were his prime targets.  TJ was passionate (says Jennifer) determined (says Tiffany), fierce (says Kamryn), proud of his family (says Ty), accepting (says Josue), welcoming (says Elizabeth), caring (says Carlos), and a great influence (says Daniela).

In the mid-90s, TJ joined Terri Lynn McNaughton Realty as a certified Realtor.  He loved the opportunity to meet people and make a positive impact on what could be stressful situations for home buyers.  Each morning, he stopped at Hardee’s for a cinnamon raisin biscuit and black coffee, somehow forgetting how piping hot the coffee is and burning his mouth every single morning.

TJ loved to travel, eat at Golden Corral, watch western movies, and turn the thermostat up when Bobbie wasn’t looking.  His family tree and heritage were important to him, and he spent hours upon hours dedicated to researching and documenting the Williams family line.  He loved his toys and adamantly refused to get rid of any item he owned even if it was broken and far from repair.

TJ’s legacy lives on through his wife, Bobbie Jean Barker Williams; his children Ricky Williams, Jackie and Jay Carpenter; his two bonus daughters, Toni Cocklin and Marjorie Williams; his eight grandchildren; his four great-grandchildren; Elsworth Winn; his brother Don (Ivelisse) Winn; and his half-brother Edward (Alice) Duncan.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Beard’s Family Chapel 855 S. Happy Hollow Rd., Fayetteville.  The graveside service will follow at Friendship Cemetery, 1980 E Friendship, Springdale.

There is no scheduled visitation.