Joseph Williams
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J.L. "Sonny" Williams, long-time local business leader and minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, passed away at home surrounded by family on July 10, 2021. He and wife, Gretchen Minyard Williams, her sister, Liz Minyard, and cousin, Bob Minyard ran Minyard Food Stores, Inc. Born March 1, 1943 in Memphis to Pauline Goza Williams, Sonny moved to Dallas in 1956 and he and his mother were hired at Minyard. When he began, little did Sonny know that his part-time job would turn into a lifetime career. As active as he was in business, Sonny was just as active as a volunteer. He served as an elected member of the Dallas County Community College District Board of Trustees, served on the Board of Directors of the State Fair of Texas, SMU Athletic Forum, Dallas Baptist University and American Red Cross. Sonny is survived by his wife of 43 years, Gretchen Minyard Williams; children, Claire (Chase) Caywood, Connor Williams; granddaughter, Ivy Lisbeth Caywood; twin sister, Mary Ann (Perry) Williams Barber; sister-in-law, Liz Minyard Lokey; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother, he is preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Curtis; brothers-in-law, Reg Curtis and Paul Lokey; and nephew, Bryan Curtis. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Restland, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX. Memorial service 2 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX. Former Minyard employees in attendance are encouraged to wear their company name badges. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Sonny and Gretchen Williams Scholarship Fund, Dallas Baptist University, 3000 Mountain Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 75211; Leukemia Texas, 4925 N. O'Connor Blvd Suite 125, Irving, TX 75062; esophageal cancer research at Baylor Scott & White Health.