William Edward (Ed) Williams, Jr., passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on December 2, 2024, in Denton. Ed was born on April 13, 1944, to a well-known Denton couple, W. E. "Eddie" and Maerene Williams. Ed was raised on the Williams' Farm, located on what is now-- S of King's Row, N of N Loop 288, W of Stuart Rd, and E of Sherman Drive.

At age 10, Ed was baptized at the First Christian Church of Denton, having served as a member his entire life. He attended Denton Public Schools and graduated from Denton High School in 1962, playing high school football for the Denton High School Broncos and playing the coronet in the Denton High School Band. He attended both Texas Tech University and University of North Texas.

Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68 and received several outstanding Distinguished Medals of Honor while serving in Vietnam. After serving in the military, Ed was owner of Williams Motor Company franchise dealerships for Rambler, Jeeps, GMC Trucks, and Ford Tractors. He met his wife Virginia on a blind date in June 1968, and they were married at the First Baptist Church in Graham, Texas, on Easter weekend April 4, 1969. This past April, Ed and Virginia celebrated 55 years of blissful marriage together.

Ed inherited his father's business sense and love of cattle and hunting. He received his real estate Broker's License in 1971, and he and Fred Vaughan opened Vaughan and Williams, REALTORS, and later built Oak Grove Mini-Warehouses and opened Oak Grove Shooting Supply on Locust and 2730 N. Elm Street, Denton.

Ed served as a charter member of North Texas Shooter's Association, as well as its President. He enjoyed skeet and trap shooting with his shooting buddies and competing in tournaments at the Dallas Gun Club, traveling across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana in his motor home.

On his Missile Base Farm on N FM 2164, he enjoyed raising cattle, entertaining his friends, camping out, fishing the 15-acre lake his father built, as well as capturing his famous "Aoudad" Sheep. Ed also enjoyed raising cattle and hunting on his W&W Ranch on the Brazos River in Young County.

In 1985, serving as co-owner and principal broker, Ed along with his wife, Virginia, established Williams & Williams, Realtors, LLC., on 2730 N. Elm Street in Denton.

Most importantly, Ed supported Eddie and Ginger's school and athletic activities throughout their school years and beyond, serving on the Denton/Wise County Board of Realtors.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, W. E. "Eddie" and Maerene Williams; his cousin, Sally Wright Steiner; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Donald and Willie Faye Wiley.

Ed is survived by his loving wife, Virginia A. Williams; son and daughter-in-law, W. E. "Eddie" Williams, III, and LeAnn; daughter, Ginger Williams, and boyfriend, Brad Parks; grandsons, W. E. "Cort" Williams, IV, and Knox Douglas Williams, as well as his faithful employees, Esteban Sanchez and Diana Clavell.

The family will receive family and friends for visitation at Bill DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 W. University Drive, Denton, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.

A Celebration of Ed's life will be held at the First Christian Church, 1203 Fulton Drive, Denton, on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 2:00pm, led by Rev. Kristin Galle. The Celebration of Ed's Life will be livestreamed at 2:00pm: https://www.fccdenton.org/online.html

Burial will be the following day at IOOF Cemetery on Carroll Blvd in Denton on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10:30am.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jack Atkins, John Burks, Don George, Mark Hannah, W. C. "Bill" Orr, III, Jim Penton, Butch Redding, Phil Taylor, and Larry Wisdom.

Pallbearers are Brad Penton, Esteban Sanchez, Ted Wisdom, Lane Wisdom, and Whip Wisdom.

Donations may be made to the First Christian Church , 1203 Fulton Drive, Denton, Texas 76201, 940-566-4990.