John Alan Williams, Sr.

John Alan Williams passed away in Shreveport, Louisiana on January 6, 2024, from complications arising after open heart surgery. Alan was born September 5, 1948 to Jack Cleveland Williams and Betty Darby Williams. He was predeceased by both of his parents and his stepfather John Luther Kelly.

Alan leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 51 years, Nancy Wood Williams along with their two children, Elizabeth Williams Mattei (Bancroft Mattei) and John Alan Williams, Jr. (Julie Zambie Williams). Alan had three grandchildren he adored and who adored him: Camille Bonnecaze, Emery Bonnecaze and John Alan Williams, III. He is also survived by his loving sister Janet LeBlanc (Louis), in-laws Merilyn Wood Crain and Regina and Doug Wood along with a host of fondly remembered nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Neville High School and University of Louisiana in Lafayette where he formed numerous lasting relationships with fellow members of his Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He worked his way through college which may have contributed to both his formidable bartending skills and his lasting friendships with his fraternity brothers.

Alan initially worked in the insurance and oil and gas industries before finding his calling in the timber business. He loved driving his old work truck to a section of woods and then tromping around the woods carefully monitoring and nurturing the growth of the plants from seedlings to mature trees.

He never tired of his beloved camp at Toledo Bend or inspecting the timberlands in this area. In the furtherance and recognition of his interest in conservation, he served on the Sabine Parish Conservation District Board and then as Executive Board Member on the National Association of Conservation Districts.

He was widely known for his colorful wardrobe ranging from a relatively modest bright red coat at Christmas to multi-colored pants, all of which he brought off with flair and ease but which a lesser man might have been forced to defend with fisticuffs.

Alan was genuine, tender-hearted and loving. He was easily reduced to being misty eyed by acts ranging from recounting a story with an old friend to a hug from a grandchild. He had no ex-friends - if you were a friend of Alan's, then you were a friend for life.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, 2510 Emerson Street, Monroe, Louisiana, from 10:30 a.m. until noon with a funeral mass following at noon with Father Tim Hurd officiating.

Honoring Alan as honorary pall bearers are Fredrick C. Amman, III, George Dean, Walter Dunn, Bob Gibbens, Lyle Miller, James Moore, Jr., Owen Moses, Larry Mullens and George Wright.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Jesus the Good Shepherd School or Pilots for Patients.