Ben R. Williams entered into Heaven’s gates on December 10, 2025. While his departure was unexpected for his family and friends, it was, as all things are, right on the Lord’s time. He was born November 11, 1952, and was the only child of Ben and Vicey Williams of Valley Forge. He attended Valley Forge Elementary School and graduated from Hampton High School.

At Hampton High School, Ben met Joy Cates; they went on their first date at Greg’s Pizza. They married on May 25, 1974. Together, they raised two children with love and built a beautiful life along the way. Ben loved to travel and had visited many states. His most memorable trips included Niagara Falls, Hawaii, and a long trip out West through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Yellowstone National Park.

He loved bluegrass music. He and wife, Joy spent years traveling to festivals or even just down the road to pop a camp chair and listen for hours. On his many bluegrass adventures, he had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ronda Vincent, and many other legends of bluegrass.

Ben worked for the Elizabethton Electric System most of his adult life. He built lasting, lifelong friendships with his coworkers and loved his job working on the line crew, maintaining, and repairing electric lines to serve the citizens of Elizabethton through snow, sleet, rain, and heat. He also worked in other states to help repair lines for major storms to bring much needed relief to people he never met. He worked at Elizabethton Electric until his retirement in 2010.

Ben grew up as a member of Valley Forge Christian Church. When he moved to Hampton, he became a long-time member of Little Doe Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. In 2002, Ben and Joy moved to Elizabethton, and Ben became a member of First Baptist Church where he served as committee chair for transportation. He took great pride in making sure the church vans were always clean, well-maintained, and properly fueled. Up until the past few years, Ben was one of the teachers for the Messenger’s Class at First Baptist. He loved to incorporate his love of bluegrass music and would play a bluegrass song each time he taught the Messenger’s Class. Ben’s faith and desire for service led him to make two mission trips to Mexico where he helped to construct churches. During his time in Mexico, he developed a love of Mexican food. He loved his friends at El Charolais Restaurant in Elizabethton and said it was authentic Mexican food and was where he could be found for lunch or dinner most days when he was well.

For many years, Ben, with his long white beard and boisterous “HO HO HO,” would play Santa for churches and other organizations alongside his wife who played Mrs. Claus. In the past few years, Ben found pleasure in simply sitting on his front porch, waving to passersby, and enjoying the beauty of Elizabethton and east Tennessee.

In 2002, Ben built a custom home for his wife, Joy. He had his hand in the design, build, and even paint color selections. He was very proud of being the contractor on this home. In later years, they transitioned to a quaint and cozy home nestled in downtown closer to his church, friends, and family.

Left to cherish his memory are Joy, his wife of 51 years; his daughter, Hannah (Stephen) Slagle; his son, Ben Allen Williams (Brandi Clark) and grandson, Isaiah. When he married Joy, he joined the large and loud Cates family, where he gained brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and cousins. Some predecease him and others are left to remember him alongside his wife and children. His family and friends will remember his big heart, his kindness to all, and his jolly, hearty laugh. He was as quick with praise for his family as he was with a joke.

As a final act of service, Ben donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Program at East Tennessee State University to help train future doctors and healthcare providers. A celebration of life will take place at First Baptist Church, 212 E “F” Street, Elizabethton, at 2 pm on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-2 pm. Reverend Todd Hallman will be officiating, music provided by John Bunn and Jamie Schaff with eulogy by Gilbert Honeycutt.

Condolences may be sent to the Williams family online at www.dillow-taylor.com

Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, TN 423-753-3821