JACKSON Tenn. (September 22, 2015) – John Williams, President and CEO of Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) from 1990 to 2006, died September 20, 2015. Williams, a cutting edge leader who helped mold the former Jackson Utility Division (JUD) into a utility authority as well as forming three energy acquisition corporations and adding JEA’s telecom division, was called a visionary by Jim Ferrell, JEA President/CEO, and Ken Marston, JEA Board Chair. “JEA can thank John W. Williams for making it a stronger, more effective organization,” said Marston.

“John Williams was a visionary,” Marston continued. “It was his initiative to seek state legislative authority for JEA to have the independent power to change the identity and scope of JUD to become JEA. From that came the Tennergy Corporation and other essential progressive business opportunities. It was John’s additional understanding and courage that ushered in the JEA Telecom Division that set the City of Jackson as a leader for other American cities.”

Ferrell, who worked closely with John on several key projects added, “John instinctively understood a utility company’s role in a community’s life quality and economic development. John strengthened the one company concept out of what historically had been separate utility companies. When confronted with future communication demands, John led the restructuring of JUD into JEA and built the EPlus broadband fiber system.”

“John Williams changed Jackson,” said Ferrell. “His life is much appreciated by all who worked with him. The entire JEA family sends their prayers to the Williams’ family.”

Williams was only 18 when he started at JUD in 1964 as a co-op student from the University of Tennessee at Martin in the Electric Division’s engineering
department. Williams served many roles at JEA before becoming President and CEO.

Williams was active in the Jackson community, serving as chairman of the Jackson Chamber, president of the Jackson Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and as a board member for Union Planters Bank, West Tennessee Regional Blood Center, Bank of Jackson community board, Union University and University School of Jackson.

In 2001, the Jackson Exchange Club named him “Jackson’s Man of the Year.” He also was active and held many leadership positions in the utility industry, including the American Public Power Association, the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, the Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association, the West District Managers Association, the West Tennessee Industrial Association, the American Public Gas Association, the Gas Research Institute, the Tennessee Gas Association and the Governor’s Energy Advisory Board.

Visitation for the family will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 3:00 – 8:00 at the North chapel of George A. Smith’s Funeral Home.  The funeral will be held on Thursday at 2:00 at Wards Grove Baptist Church, located at 672 Law Rd in Lexington.

Williams and his wife, Jane, have two children, Jason Williams and Katy Williams Ellis, a son-in-law, Woody Ellis, and two grandchildren, Anna Kate and Charli Ellis.