James Robert Williams, 74, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, passed away on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at home from gall bladder cancer. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on March 20, 1942, as the only child of Leo and Esther (Pickron) Williams. He attended East Leydon High School in Franklin Park, IL, and received his BA from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, in 1960 while laying brick to build the school’s science building and working as a custodian. Jim served in the US Coast Guard Reserves from 1965–1971 while he secured his MSW from the University of Illinois in Chicago, IL, in 1970. He was a lifelong learner and studied history at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside following his retirement. Jim worked at Family Service Agency of North Lake County from 1970–2000, working as a clinical social worker, graduate school supervisor at Loyola University Chicago, Clinical Director and Executive Director from 1990–2000. Following retirement Jim worked at The Community Library as an Information Clerk from 2002–2010 in the Salem and Twin Lakes locations. On May 1, 1981, in Schaumburg, IL, he married Mary (Heikkinen) Williams; they moved to Pleasant Prairie, in 1983 following the birth of their only child, where he resided until his death. Jim enjoyed botany, movies, history with a focus on the Civil War and World War II, and current events through daily newspapers and television CNN and CSPAN. He loved antiques, especially Art Glass, often attending antique shows. He was an avid Chicago Cubs Fan – GO CUBS! – and the Chicago Bears. He participated in many of the programs offered by the Civil War Museum of Kenosha. He liked playing golf, reading nonfiction books, fishing, bicycling and traveling with Mary, most recently to Europe, the Grand Canyon, Antietam Battlefield, Door County, and the Quad Cities for light gambling – Craps and slots and reminiscing childhood sites where he spent summers with his grandparents and with his son to Las Vegas for an annual Father-Son event. Surviving Jim are his wife, Mary of Pleasant Prairie, WI; son, Robert (Allison) Williams, and granddaughter, Scarlett of Carol Stream, IL; cousin, Penny Carr of Rock Island, IL; and dog Darby. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; aunts, Frieda (Pickron) Schlicting Schauble and Irma Pickron; uncles, Arthur (Florence) Pickron and Robert (Mary) Pickron; and many many friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the Proko Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be held on Monday, October 3rd, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer, MI, at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Civil War Museum, 5400 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit and Sign James’Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com