John Kennedy Williams, IV, born May 19, 1951, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away on December 28, 2025. He spent more than 60 years of his life in Richmond Hill, Georgia, where he became a well-known and deeply respected member of the community.

John retired as General Manager of Georgia Central Railroad after years of dedicated service. He was a proud member of Bryan Masonic Lodge #303, having joined in 1976, and became a Shriner in 2010 as a member of Alee Temple. He was also a member and past president of the Alee Pirate Unit.

A lifelong public servant, John was elected to the Richmond Hill City Council in 1976, becoming the youngest person at that time to serve on a city council in the state of Georgia. He later served as a Bryan County Commissioner. He co-founded the Richmond Hill Recreation Department and helped start the first Fourth of July picnic celebration held at Fort McAllister State Park. In 2022, he was honored as Grand Marshal of the Richmond Hill Christmas Parade.

Known affectionately as the "unofficial Santa of Richmond Hill," John proudly continued this beloved tradition for 14 years. He was also a volunteer for CURE, a nonprofit organization supporting children with childhood cancer.

John loved Little League baseball and the Richmond Hill Astros, was a devoted Georgia Bulldogs fan, and enjoyed playing golf. Above all, he was the number one fan at his grandchildren's ballgames and cherished time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents John K. Williams, III, and Virginia Webb Williams and a sister, Joan Evans (Walter).

He is survived by his loving wife, Lynn Williams; daughter, Tonyah Rogers; son, John Kennedy Williams, V (Jennifer); sisters, Jane Welsh and Ginger Martin; grandchildren, Kennedy Williams, Kelly Williams, Madison Eby (Kristian), and Dylan Rogers (Brooke); and five great-grandsons.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Friday, January 2, 2025 at Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 2, 2025 at Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alee Pirate Unit at AleePirates.com