Welcome to Williams Funeral Home

James Edward Thompson, affectionately known as “Bum”, “Uncle Bum” or “JT”, was born in Sumter County to the late Cornelius and Inez Vaughn Thompson. He confessed that he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He worship and fellowship with New Life Bible Church. He departed this earthly life on July 5, 2019 at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Columbia. James graduated from Lincoln High School, Sumter, in 1970. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served for 4 years at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he joined the McEntire Air National Guard in Hopkins. He served with distinction and received awards such as: Outstanding Guardsman. Having a thirst for knowledge, he matriculated at Halm Industrial Corporation in Glen Head, NY, and Sumter Area Technical College (now, Central Carolina Technical College). He received awards in Operator Technician, Caterpillar Operator Training Course. He further believed in hard honest work. He was employed with Union Camp, Eastover, for 26 years (that he helped to build) presently known as the International Paper from which he retired in 2010. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Gadson; a brother, Cornelius Thompson and he was the son-in-law of the late Walter P. and Edna Buckery. James precious memories are cherished by: his loving and devoted wife, Annette O. Buckery Thompson; one daughter, Felicia I. Thompson Hawkins (Mark) of Travelers Rest; two sons: James B. Thompson of Columbia and Edward C. Thompson (Yasheika) of Greenville; four grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Thompson Dix (Wilbert Sr.); one uncle, Herbert (Lucille) Kennerly; six sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home, 2415 Wedgefield Road, Sumter. Visitation will be Thursday from 2 – 7 p. m. in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 12, 2019, 1p. m. from the St. James United Methodist Church, 720 Broad Street, Sumter, with the Rev. Cheryl Johnson, pastor, Reverend Dr. Nate Brock, eulogist, Rev. Travis Kinley, officiating, assisted by Rev. George Johnson. The Remains will be placed in the church at 12 noon. The funeral procession will leave at 12:10 p. m. from the home. Burial will follow in the Hillside Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to SPOLIWA Bible Camp, 317 Bible Camp Road, Jeffersonville, GA 31044.

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