Billy Joe Williams

Billy Joe Williams, fondly known as “The Mayor of Blackhorse”, age 81 of Ravenna, OH passed away at home on September 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving daughters after a long illness. Born November 6 ,1943, in Powellton, West Virginia, to Opal and Albert Williams, Billy moved to Ravenna for work, joining his brothers at the A.C. Williams Co., where he formed many lifelong friendships.  He later retired from Custom Plastics in Ravenna where he worked as an extruder. In his younger years, Billy loved dancing in clubs back in West Virginia and even appeared on television.  Later, he found joy in fox hunting with his many dogs and his best friend and nephew, Hal Lovejoy.  He cherishes the memories of family gathering at his home to play guitars and sing together.  Billy loved dogs and little children alike, always sending the little ones home with the playful warning “Be mean and get a whooping.” Though he accomplished much, he considered his greatest achievement raising his three daughters without their mother, a role he embraced whole heartedly, even attributing his premature gray hair to it. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Albert (Jr.), Clarence, Jack, Donald, Bobby & Charlie Williams; sisters, Emogene Lovejoy, Virginia Nicholas, Betty Harvey, Nancy Christian and Ruth Ann Dixon, his life partner Wanda Ladd and grandson Billy Ray. He is survived by his daughters, Tamari (Greg) Miller of Kent, OH, Angela (Mike Sorboro) Williams of Ravenna, OH, & Vanessa Williams of Massillon, OH; grandchildren Jamie, Erica, Kayla, Hillary, Brittany, Zachary, and Tyler; and great grandchildren Breena, Isaiah, Trent, Tres, Bentley, Archer, and Antonio. Family and friends are invited to gather at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel for calling hours on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 1 PM until time of funeral service at 3 PM. Don Kainrad will officiate. Cremation will follow the services. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna.