John Williams

John D. Williams, Jr., 71, of Cleburne passed away peacefully at his home on November 22, 2023 with his beloved wife, Sheila, at his side. Heaven gained a great cowboy. The visits, meals, phone calls, and messages received during the final weeks of his life were a tremendous source of peace and comfort to him and Sheila.

John, the eldest of five children, was born on September 25, 1952 in Dallas County to John D. Williams, Sr. and Nida Mae Williams. He was born to be a cowboy. His grandfather, Capaw, was his rock and introduced John to the rodeo world where he fell in love with horses as a young boy.

John married Sheila on October 12, 1996 in a little white chapel in Arlington, Texas. They both worked at Mouser Electronics in Mansfield until he retired in 2019 after 31 years of service. John enjoyed riding in the Fort Worth Stock Show Grand Entry for over 30 years. He became employed by the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo which was a privilege that he was very grateful for. John had hoped to work another year in the 2024 show.

John volunteered with the annual cattle drive benefiting The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. He also enjoyed traveling with Sheila to Montana and Wyoming. The Fort Worth Stockyards was a favorite hangout spot with his friends to enjoy a cold beer at the Cowboy Channel Bar, share a meal at Riscky’s Steakhouse, and watch the drovers drive a herd of Texas longhorns down Exchange Avenue. Most days you would find John at home tending to his horses, fixing fences, mowing pastures, and working on his property.

John is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Sheila Williams, daughters, Jacquelyn Johnston and husband Scott, Dominique Orbon, Dezorey Arocha and husband Christopher; grandchildren, Paxton, Kayla, Addi, Autumn; sisters, Shelley Williams, Jeanine Reinoehl, Marty Hall, Barb Williams; as well as his loyal horses, Cole and Jake, and his cats, Blue and Tiger.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Alvarado. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 P.M., Friday, December 1, 2023 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bobby Fowler, Greg Barnes, Eric Grall, Kyle Beaird, Paul Reinoehl, Christopher Arocha; with Ivory Davis and Dr. Mack McClister as Honorary Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Wings of Hope Equitherapy of Cleburne at 4200 County Road 806, Cleburne, TX 76031.