By Marilyn Miller

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 was a day for the Minden Presbyterian Church to remember late member and elder Jimmy Williams, with the dedication of a plaque and a statue in the sanctuary garden. The ceremony was made possible by the Jimmy Williams Classroom.

Mayor Williams passed away January 20, 2024 after battling multiple myeloma for five years. His obituary states that, “No one expected that it would be Jimmy’s loving and generous heart that would take him from us while sitting at home watching an NFL football game.”

The mayor of Sibley and past president of the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA), he was most proud of the improvements made to the Sibley Water System, of bringing new businesses and opportunities to the town, and the formation of a new subdivision in the northern part of the municipality.

One of Mayor Williams’ most memorable moments was when, as president of the LMA, he was asked to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

When his late brother, Butch Williams, opened Minden Athletic Supply in 1973, Jimmy became one of its original employees. Over the past 50 years, he worked as manager, headed up team sales, constructed trophies, helped bring the first computers to the store, and completed many construction projects. He even started his own business, Williams Silkscreen.

Jimmy was a member of the 1972 Minden High School State Championship baseball team. He also played for and coached the Minden Redbirds baseball teams for over 30 years.

Mayor Williams was most proud of his family. He and his wife, Suzanne Kilgore Williams, have three children, daughters Christin W. Robinson and Jennifer W. Kirk; and one son, Jay Williams. A load of grandchildren made “Poppie” the most happy.

Leading the dedication ceremony were Pastor Keith Mariott, and fellow elders John Collins and Marilyn Miller, both members of the Jimmy Williams Classroom.