OXFORD — Harold Grey Williams, 86, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the Veterans Home in Oxford. Funeral services were held on Friday, March 25, at 4 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley. Visitation was held on Friday, March 25, from 2 p.m. until service time at Seven Oaks Funeral Home, which was in charge of arrangements.

He grew up working in the family store, Williams Bros., that his father and Uncle Amzie founded in 1907. When World War II began, at age 13 he became one of the store’s main truck drivers. He graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1948 and attended Marion Institute where he played football. He later transferred to Ole Miss and graduated in 1952. He became a member of the Mississippi National Guard 31st “Dixie Division” and served as a captain in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean War.

In 1958, he married Mary Louise Johnson and began a career with his father-in-law, Vernon Johnson, as a Chevrolet and later Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealer. He retired after 35 years and sold the dealership back to Chevrolet. He loved his church, community and his friends, but most of all loved his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Johnson Williams; son Harold Grey Williams Jr.; sisters Helen Schneller and Janie Pickering; and brother Thomas Brown Williams Jr.

He is survived by his daughter Kathy Johnson Williams of Water Valley; sister Pat Stubbs of Holly Springs; brother M.B. “Snooky” Williams of Water Valley; and granddaughter Jessica Grey Williams of Water Valley.