Mr. James VanMetre "Van" Williams, Jr., passed away peacefully on January 7, 2020. Born in Columbia on December 25, 1942, he was the son of James VanMetre Williams, Sr., and Mabel Holland Williams. He was married for 50 years to Linda Moss Williams until her death in 2011.

He was employed by Palmetto Hardware in Forest Acres for many years before leaving to head the Transportation Division of the State Department of Mental Health, where he remained until his retirement.

Van loved "tinkering" with motors and sharing his skill and expertise with others. He loved camping at the beach and in the mountains.

He is survived by his children, Angel Williams Poirier, James "Jim" VanMetre Williams, III., and Lorri Williams Potts; a sister, Kathy Williams Brumbach; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, "Van" was preceded in death by his wife; his son, Floyd Lyn Williams and his granddaughter, Jamie Meagan McKinney.

A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Williams, will be held 2 o'clock, Sunday, January 12th, in the Mausoleum Chapel of Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, with The Rev. John McKinley Williams, III officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 o'clock, in the chapel. Shives Funeral Home Trenholm, Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to The SC Dept. of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, PO Box 4440, Columbia, SC 29240, Attn: Sheila Arnold.