SPARTANBURG, SC-- Dr. John Edward Williams, 87, of Spartanburg, died on Friday, March 16, 2007 at his home. Born on October 16, 1919, in Columbus, NM, he was reared in Bloomington, IL, and was a son of the late John Charles and Mary Catherine Williams and was married to the late Patricia Gilmore Williams.Dr. Williams obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and his Masters Degree from Yale's Union Theological Seminary and received an honorary Doctorate from Converse College. He was a U. S. Navy World War II Veteran and played for American Servicemen. While in London, England he played for Queen Elizabeth and her father, King George and also played at the Glasgow Cathedral in Scotland. He came to Spartanburg in 1948 as Minister of Music at First Presbyterian Church, where he served until his retirement in 1991. He also was a member and Elder of the Church. Dr. Williams also taught at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind; as well as Spartanburg School Districts Six and Seven. He was a founding member of the American Guild of Organists, Spartanburg Chapter; he was the first Director of the Spartanburg Oratory Society, and also recipient of numerous awards.Survivors include two daughters, Mary Williams Brookshire of Greenville, SC and Elizabeth "Ibby" Cain of Chapin, SC; a son, John Gilmore Williams and his wife, N. Jane Williams, also of Chapin; five grandchildren, Laura Patricia Brookshire, Jason Grant Williams and his wife, Lauren, Paul Allen Cain, Catherine Ann Cain and John Charles Cain; one great-grandson, River Gray Williams; and a sister, Gwendolyn Williams of Normal, IL. He was predeceased by a brother, Percival Richard "Bud" Williams formerly of Normal, IL.A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, conducted by the Rev. Lawrence Bates, the Rev. Dan Youngblood and the Rev. G. Wayne Cole. The family will receive friends following the service in the Church Social Hall.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. John E. Williams Scholarship Fund, in care of First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.Floyd's North ChurchStreet Chapel