Judge John Everett Williams in some of his many outfits
From polka dots to seersucker to wool, on any given day and season, you might have found John Everett Williams wearing one of those outfits.
He just enjoyed wearing different looking clothes, but I kinda believe that seersucker might have been his favorite. I saw him wearing more of this than any other. He took much of his fashion and grooming from Mark Twain.
He was a unique individual in the fact that he could talk to any and everybody about anything and most of the time did.
He was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, often performing for students, colleagues and judicial conferences.
John Everett’s good friend, Bethel President Dr. Walter Butler, will be speaking at his funeral.
He said Monday there will be two main remembrances of his friend that he will talk about.
“He never met a stranger and made everyone that he spoke with feel welcome and like they had been friends forever.”
Another point that Walter said he would make is how John Everett had a spirit about him of helpfulness.
“He always wanted to help people and looked at ways he could help as an individual.”
A number of years ago when John Everett’s son, Jay, and Walter’s son, Murray, were fifth graders, they invited me to go with them to Nashville. Gov. Sundquist had promised them that if he won the election that the entire fifth grade class would be he and Martha’s special guests at the governor’s mansion.
That was a great day. The governor and Mrs. Sundquist gave us a special tour of the mansion. A tent was pitched in the back yard where pizza was served. Later in the day we all toured the capital.
Indeed a fun day for everyone.
I believe that the governor had already appointed him as Criminal Court of Appeals Judge.
His colleagues in the judiciary have fond memories of him.
“He was larger than life in every way,” said Judge Tim Easter of the Court of Criminal Appeals. “Many have said that he was their best friend and that is just how he made you feel.”
He was famous for calling the 12-member court just to “check in.”
He always went out of his way to welcome new members to the court.
As a jurist, Judge Williams authored over 2,000 opinions in his nearly 25 years on the court. He was likely on the bench for over 6,000 cases. He was known as a strong supporter of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. constitution. He was dedicated to protecting the right of the people to be secure in their persons, and house, against unreasonable searches and seizures.
He was presented the Pinnacle of Excellence Award by the Town of Huntingdon, the highest honor the town bestows on anyone. He has served as president of the Lions Club, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity among some of the things he was a part of.
His colleagues recall that he would remind them often that every day is not promised with the special people in your life so make sure you spend time where you need to.
“He is already missed and he won’t be replaced ever,” said his colleague Judge Camille McMullen.
