Joe L. Williams attended Marshville High School in 1945 after leaving Burnsville High School in Anson County. He entered the US Army in 1945 and attained the rank of Corporal or Technician Fifth Grade. He completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, OK and was assigned to the Panama Canal Zone until discharged in 1947. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Theater Ribbon.
Williams has been married to Bernice Nance for 53 years and they have two children -- Dava W. Smyre and Don L. Williams -- and three grandchildren -- Carmen, Joseph and Meredith.
Williams graduated from the Nashville Auto & Diesel College in Nashville, Tennessee in December 1949. He then returned to Marshville and was self-employed for a while before working for two auto dealerships, the last was Gaye Cheverolet, Inc where he was the Service Manager for 20 years. He then worked at ETRI, Corp in Monroe as maintenance supervisor until he retired.
Williams has been a member of the Marshville United Methodist Church for the past 43 years. He has served there as Chairman of the Administrative Board. He is a former member of the Marshville Lions Club, now serves on the Marshville Zoning and Planning Board, and has been an active participant in the Meals on Wheels program since it was organized in Marshville several years ago.