Mr. Johnnie Lee Williams

Johnnie Lee Williams better wise know by his community as Big Red was born on the 6th of May 1939 in Tallahassee Florida. He was born to mother Armelia Durst. He was an only child however He was raised by his Grandmother Olivia Davis and uncle Jack Williams until around the age of 17. During that time he attended the Tallahassee Public School system. Unlike most other grade school kids he very much enjoyed his time at school. This helped build his strong foundation which was required for many of his life achievements to come. As a child one of his favorite things to do was play golf. He often times caddie at the local golf course with his uncle Jack, where he would learn to fall in love with the game. His immense love for the game followed him into adulthood and stayed with him for the course of his lifetime. Little did he know that his deep passion for the game would later allow his to set records and break barriers in his community. Him and his uncle Jack (who was only a few years older then him) were inseparable thought his childhood. You could not see one without the other weather they were at the local burger spot grabbing a malt or caught making trouble at the drive in. They were joined at the hip. Around the age of 17 he would go off to live in Colorado with his mother and step father David Durst. He attended Manual High School where he continued his formal education. He loved all sports in high school and he played on the football team as a Manual Thunderbolt. He graduated in the year 1956 at the age of 18. From there he went on to attend collage at Regis University where he attained several degrees related to psychology and mental health. After collage he joined the military where he served the Army as a member of the Red Diamond Medical Core. After being honorably discharged from the military he went on to pursue a career as a social worker where he become one of the original board of directors for Denver Great Kids Headstart and a piler of the Denver community. This inspired his youngest son Adam to follow in his footsteps. He too served on the board of Denver Greats Kids as president years after his father. Words could not express how proud and joyous he was to know he had inspired him to follow in footsteps. He had a career as a professional golfer and was a part of the PGA tour for many seasons. He was proud to say that He was the first black golfer to play a full 18 holes at Park Hill golf course. This opend the door for future black golfers to enjoy the course as well. In the midst of all his other achievements he also became a member of the freemasons where he served at Rocky Mountain Lodge #1. Later in life his most precious time spent was with his 2 favorite people, grandkids Sir Adam and Isis. Some of the families most fond memories are of him teaching them his favorite game golf. If you ever needed to find him on a beautiful sunny afternoon just check down the street at the golf course. This was his one and only true love next to his mother and grandchildren. He was one of the smartest most intelligent men a person could be lucky enough to know. His kind heart and ability to adapt led him down many great roads in life. Although he was raised in the church he wasn't a very religious man but he did love the Lord and had his own personal relationship with him.

Mr. Johnnie Lee Williams

May 6, 1939 - August 19, 2022