In the words of Ward 4 City Councilman Fred Stewart, you never had a dull day with William “Billy” James.
“He was a friendly, funny guy. He kept you laughing,” Stewart said.
James, a former Columbus city councilman, died at his residence Wednesday. He was 81 years old.
With his passing, Stewart reflected on the friendship they shared throughout the years. It started when James was a Realtor, but continued into city government.
“We served on the Parks and Recreation Committee together,” Stewart said.
But it didn”t end there.
In February 2001, James became the Ward 3 councilman, a post he would serve through July 2005. Stewart also served on the council at this time, and the friendship grew stronger.
“We stayed close and associated with each other. On our own time, we used to sit down and talk to one another,” he said.
The talks usually came from life and past successes, and Stewart said it motivated him.
“I would want to be like Billy,” Stewart said while laughing.
“He”s going to be missed. I know I personally will miss him.”
Mayor Robert Smith also served with James on the council. He used the words “lively” and “charismatic” to describe James.
“He was a very likable person,” Smith said, noting one of his first memories of James came from when he was working in the real estate business.
“He sold me my house back in October 1980,” Smith said.
However, Smith learned more about James later on. If there is one trait he recalls about James, it is the value he placed on “his word.”
“If he gave you his word, he would honor it,” Smith said.
Smith told the current council and city officials at Wednesday”s council meeting of James” death.
James, a lifelong resident of Columbus, was born Aug. 22, 1930.
Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Annunciation Catholic Church on College Street in Columbus. The burial ceremony will be held afterwards at Friendship Cemetery at the intersection of 13th Avenue South and Fourth Street South.
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