Memorial Services will be at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 1, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Donna Johnston, associate pastor, officiating. Jerry Williams was born on November 17, 1934 in Canyon, Texas to Owen and Pauline Hill Williams. He attended public school in Canyon and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Theater and a Master of Education degree in Communications Disorders from West Texas A&M University. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Jerry taught Speech and Theater in Plainview public schools and served as a dramatic judge for Interscholastic League competition throughout the Panhandle. Following the classroom experience, he embarked on an additional career in Speech Pathology with Amarillo Speech and Hearing Center, the Amarillo Independent School District, and the Regional Education Program for the Deaf. He held the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology from the American Speech Hearing and Language Association and was licensed by the state of Texas in Speech & Language Pathology. His acting career included numerous productions at the Branding Iron Theater at West Texas A&M University, the Amarillo Little Theater, the Amarillo Opera, the Amarillo Dinner Theater, and radio and television commercials, in addition to commercials for the Texas Lottery Commission. Jerry was best known throughout the Southwest for his leading role for 26 years as Tucker Yelldell in the award winning Paul Green Musical Drama, TEXAS in the Palo Duro Canyon. He was an accomplished story teller and a member of numerous local, regional and national story telling organizations. He and his story telling partner, Ruth Holladay, produced numerous recordings. As a reflection of Jerry"s expanded talents, he was a certified antiques appraiser, an accomplished potter, and an antique store owner in Canyon. Jerry was always generous with his time and talent and devoted time to the First United Methodist Church of Canyon, where he had been a member his entire life. He was also a life member of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society. Survivors include two godchildren, Shawn Stephens, of Houston, TX, and Brent Stephens, of Amarillo; many lifelong friends; and special care givers, Diana Mende, Kimberly Henderson, and Susan Hawk. Please make memorials to the Amarillo Speech Hearing and Language Center, 1300 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106 or Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, 1514 5th Avenue, Canyon, Texas 79015.