William Joseph James

William Joseph James, son of the late Elmer and Atlas McNeal James, was born in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 11, 1930, and died at Gideon Care Center on Nov. 18, 2008, at the age of 78.

Mr. James retired from Mississippi Glass in Granite City, Ill., in 1968 because of health reasons. He remained in Granite City, Ill., where he worked on vehicles and enjoyed drag racing. In 1975 he moved his family to Bloomfield where he lived until entering the Gideon Care Center earlier this year.

On June 11, 1949 he was married to Mary Juanita Terry.

Survivors include his wife, Mary James of Gideon; one son, Bill James of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Wanda Gregory of Highland, Ill., Sherry McCollom of Bloomfield, and Kim Hayes of Malden; four brothers, Cecil James of Granite City, Il, Johnny James of Saucier, MS, Ray James of Bald Knob, AR, and Don James of Clarkston, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Bertie Mae Oliver.

Visitation will be held at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2008.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. Cleo Payne officiating.

Interment will follow in the Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield.