John Laverne William, 81 of Winston-Salem, NC passed away on February 21, 2026 in High Point, NC. He was born on May 24, 1944 in Winston-Salem, NC to John Jiles and Odessa Williams.

Johnny as he was affectionately called by family and friends attended school the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public schools. After high school he joined the army and fought in the Vietnam War. Once honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, he worked and retired from R.J. Reynolds.

John was always known for his jokes and love for cars.

John was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Odessa Williams Rogers.

He is survived by his daughter, Johnai Williams Myers; step-daughter, Sha-Lai Williams of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren: Ja'Cora Myers (Patrick), Chris Myers, III, Elishya Myers, Elijah Myers and Parker William; two great-grandchildren, Kai'omi Prosser and Khylo Prosser.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Funeral service 4:00 PM, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. The family will greet friends thirty-minutes prior to service. Interment in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, North Carolina.