Barbourville, Ky. – Gary Wayne Williams , 63, passed away May 28, 2021.  Gary was the son of Mildred Barnett Williams and Clifford Tucker Williams, joyfully born to them on June 24, 1957, in Harlan, Kentucky.

Gary was an avid sports enthusiast, whether he was playing, coaching or spectating.  When not tending to one of his businesses, Gary could often be found in an arena or on a field – traveling from Union College sport's fields and arenas to UK Rupp Arena and to UK Kroger Field and back again to city of Barbourville's local league fields and gyms.  But … the greatest sports event in his life happened his eighth-grade year at Artemus Elementary School with Gholdston Lloyd as his basketball coach.  The greatest basketball players in Knox County, according to Gary, played on that fabulous Artemus Eagles team that beat the Boone Green Dragons to become the number one team that year in Knox County.  You would have thought Gary Williams had landed on the moon!  He later played varsity at Knox Central High School, and briefly for Union College.

As an adult, Gary coached many Knox County Little League teams at the Barbourville City Recreational Park.  Additionally, he coached basketball intramural leagues.  In 1993 he received the Coaches Award from the Knox County Youth Leagues.  In 1996, Gary received the All Star Coach Award from the Knox County Baseball Junior League.

Gary and Bonita met the "love bug" their Junior and Senior years at Knox Central High School.  The bug continued until they were married on January 15, 1977, at Union College Conway Boatman Chapel.  They moved into Union College's marriage courts and continued to live at a Union College address to this day! After six years of their happy union, the stork brought Gary and Bonita a wonderful present – a bouncing baby boy, Gary Wayne Williams II. That baby boy, at age 31, presented Papaw Gary and Nina with a beautiful granddaughter, Scarlett Williams.  Needless to say, Scarlett was the apple of Papaw's eye.

Despite beginning with little means, Gary and Bonita became successful entrepreneurs with their businesses.  They lovingly and meticulously tended to and grew their small store on Manchester Street to a new, larger store on North Main Street.  Gary's work ethic was always exemplary.  He met every task at hand, no matter how big or how small, with complete determination. Gary and Bonita owned and operated Williams Stop & Go Market for 42 years prior to selling it. They currently own and operate Knox Street Liquor with their beloved son, Gary Wayne Williams II, for the past 4 years.

Gary was and will be remembered for being a kind man with a very giving heart.  He loved his family fiercely and was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Artemus.  Gary consistently had his heart and his eyes open for opportunities to help others. He donated to many student organizations at Union College, and Barbourville Independent Schools. In addition, he helped many students in need from his community that came into his place of business.  Gary purchased clothing, shoes, prom dresses and tuxedos, school supplies, wrestling tickets, and much more for the youth in need, living in his community.  As well, local youth would often come to the store asking Gary for work so that they could earn a $1.00 to swim at the Union College swimming pool.  Gary would pay them for mopping floors, cleaning windows, sweeping the parking lot, so that they could earn their dollar to go swimming, but more importantly, so that they could learn the value of hard work and self worth. Gary spread love and encouragement to the youth of his community, by helping to ensure their needs were met and modeling values of family, dedication and being a safe place in their lives. Gary and his wife loved and nurtured their "kids."  After refusing invitations from Bonita's parents to come inside Union's Chapel for Gary and Bonita's wedding, many local youth peered through the chapel windows to watch the ceremony. Gary was a fabulous role model to the youth of the community. Attending Union College, working, and interacting with them. In turn, the community embraced and supported Gary and his family as new store owners.

He loved his community and he wanted to see Knox County and the City of Barbourville grow and improve.  In hopes of making this happen, Gary was a Barbourville City Council member for eight years.  He wanted the City of Barbourville to grow economically and be a clean, beautiful, and safe community for all of its citizens to enjoy and be proud of.  Gary was a also a Board Member of the Wellness Center, formerly known as Stivers Center.

In addition to his parents, Mildred Barnett Williams and Clifford Tucker Williams, Gary was preceded in death by his beloved brother-in-law, Victor Allen Bingham III, and his dear friend, Wayne Warfield.

Left behind to mourn Gary's passing is his dear wife, Bonita Bingham Williams; son, Gary Wayne Williams II, and cherished granddaughter, Scarlett R. Williams.  Gary is also survived by his brother, David Williams and wife Elaine of Barbourville; sister, Judith Hinkle and husband Cloyce of Artemus; mother-in-law, Shirley Couch Bingham, and father-in-law, Victor Bingham, Jr., of Gray; sister-in-law, Bernadette Bingham and her husband Gary Bingham, of Gray; and sister-in-law, Vickie Baird and partner Mark Ketteler of Middleton, Ohio.  Nieces, Kristen Napier and husband Kevin of Flat Lick, Sarah Lawson and husband Justin of Washburn, Tennessee, and Brandi Baird of Middleton, Ohio, Jennifer Smith and husband Adam of Girdler and Brooke Rohme and husband Nick of Corbin and Katherine Bingham and fiancé Cameron Carpenito of Corbin survive Gary, as well as, nephew, Justin Williams and wife Joy of Williamsburg, and will remember him fondly.

The Williams family will receive friends at the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel, Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, and on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM.  Reverend Steve Mayle and Reverend Darrel Bargo will officiate.  Musical Tributes will be performed by the First Baptist Church of Artemus Praise Team and Mr. David Williams.  Burial will immediately follow the funeral service in the Binghamtown Cemetery at Dewitt, Ky.  The family has chosen as Pallbearers: Gary Bingham, Gerald Bingham, William Matthew Dixon, Terry Dwayne Gray, Terry Gray, Jason Grubb, Jimmy Wayne Grubb, Cloyce Hinkle, Mark Ketteler, Justin Lawson, David Leath, Kevin Napier, Jonathan Warren, and Justin Williams.  Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Galdass, Dr. David Daughtery, Dr. Croley, and the Saint Joseph's East Hospital third floor nurses and staff.

The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home Inc. express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Gary Wayne Williams.

Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Mr. Gary Wayne Williams .

COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.  Everyone attending services, who has not been vaccinated, will be required to wear a mask and remain six feet apart.