Friends remember Williams

By Patrick Johnston

Published: September 4, 2008

He loved country music, hunting, fishing and mud riding.

But his greatest love was being with his family and friends.

That’s how 18-year-old James Bradley Williams, known to many as “Brad”, will be remembered. He died early Sunday morning from injuries sustained in a car wreck on County Road 71, approximately three miles west of Baker Hill.

Funeral services for Williams were held Wednesday from Kent Funeral Home chapel with burial following at Rapture City Cemetery in Clayton.

Several friends have left condolences on an online networking page, remembering Williams as a young man who enjoyed life.

“We all know (you’re) looking over us from a better place,” one person wrote.

“(You’re) gonna be missed by everyone,” another person wrote.

Williams stated on the site he enjoyed mud riding and hanging out with friends.

“(I’m) all about friends and family and not too much more than that,” he stated on the site.

The investigation into Sunday’s wreck was continuing as of Thursday, according to Trooper Anthony Ellis of the Alabama State Troopers. He said it appears that speed was likely “a contributing factor” in the wreck.

“That’s what we’re looking at,” he said.

While the speed limit on that stretch of County Road 71 is 45 mph, Ellis said early estimates have the 2003 GMC Sierra travelling at 60 mph.

There is also question as to who was driving the vehicle at the time of the wreck. A 16-year-old male was also in the vehicle with Williams. He was airlifted to Columbus, but his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening. The name of the 16-year-old was not released because he is a juvenile, according to Ellis.