C. Ray Williams, 99, (Mayor of Goodsprings), died early Saturday morning January 1, 2011 at his residence in Goodsprings. Ray was well known in McMinn County. He was the owner of Ray Williams & Son Monument Company in Etowah. Ray also served several terms as Justice of Peace and on the County Board of McMinn County. He was a Mason and member of Etowah Lodge #653 for over fifty years. Ray was also the oldest member of the Eastern Star Lodge in Etowah. Ray was the oldest member of Goodsprings Baptist Church near Etowah. He was dedicated to his church, his lodge, his family, community and county at large. For many years he worked with the Gideon's Ministry. Ray was involved in several civil projects for the Goodsprings area. These projects included getting city water for the area, building the Goodsprings Community building, paving driveways at the Goodsprings Cemetery and making a paved walking track around the grounds of the community center.
A son of the late C.H. and Mary Etta Williams, Ray was preceded in death by his wife Grace, a son Ronnie, and a grandson Jerome Williams.
He is survived by four sons, Col. Jimmy R. Williams U.S. Army Retired of Etowah, Chief Petty Officer Jerry B. Williams Coast Guard and wife Ann of Etowah, Terry Williams and wife Carolyn of Middlesboro Kentucky, Rex and wife Donna of Corbin Kentucky. Grandchildren Janet Corn of Etowah, Rebekah Cessna of Missouri City, Texas, Travis Williams of San Antonio Texas, Linda Hooper of Etowah, Sharon Croft of Etowah, Larry Williams of Crossville, Todd Williams of Knoxville, Mike Williams of Etowah, Rhonda Ellis of Kodak, Kim Mize of Madisonville, Chris Williams of Olympia, Washington, Mark Williams of Atlanta GA, Shelli Teague of Etowah and Paige Mansfield of Corbin, KY. He is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday Jan. 4th at Goodsprings Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Gamble and the Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. Interment will follow in the Goodsprings Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lewis Bryan, Mark Williams, Jerome Bryan, Ryan Hooper, Ronnie Croft, and Benny Bivens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 3rd in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home in Etowah with a Masonic Service to follow at 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goodsprings Baptist Church or to the Gideon's.
Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements.