Burley Y. Williams passed away at home in his sleep on December 25, 2013. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hueytown.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by Rebecca (Betty) Williams, the mother of his children, 3 brothers, Lennie, Newel and Amos Williams, 1 sister, Mary Dean Capps, a son, Michael E. Williams, a son-in-law, Burley Y. (Buck) Williams, Jr. (Becky), a step daughter, Mary Ann Smith (Paul) and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

He graduated from Jones Valley High School where he played on the only undefeated team that Jones Valley ever had. He was also instrumental in raising money to rebuild Jones Valley when it was destroyed by fire, and was prominent in helping to start the J. V. reunions which are still going on today.

He pastured Oxmore Methodist Church for several years, was Choir Director and Youth Director at First United Methodist Church in Bessemer, Youth Director at Hueytown First United Methodist Church, Choir Director at Midfield United Methodist Church and was also Representative of the Midfield Church at the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church. He was chairperson of the Administrative Board at Bethlehem First United Methodist Church.

He was on the board of the YMCA in Bessemer and while there, coached basketball and softball teams.

In 1952, he opened Williams Hardware and Sundries in the small community of Midfield Park. The next year, the City became incorporated and used the bank of his store for its first offices. Then, he allowed them to use a building he owned until they could afford to buy it from him at well below market price.

In 1961, he moved his business to a new and larger building. Midfield''s first Post Office was located in the back of the store.

He and Bill Harris organized Midfield''s first Chamber of Commerce which B. Y. served as president for the next two years. During this time, the Chamber was instrumental in the annexation of the Wilkes community.

As Midfield''s Post Master, he realized the postal needs of the city were growing so he fought hard for a full service Post Office and got it. And then, he had to fight again to keep it.

He was a member of the Library Board when the library was just a dream and worked to open the first Library. Then, while serving as president of the Library Board, he worked to secure the grant that made the present library possible.

B. Y. organized an Industrial Development Board and served as its chairman. This board was instrumental in attracting several new businesses to Midfield.

He was also president of the Planning and Zoning Board and on the Board of Directors of the Midfield Chamber of Commerce which he helped to re-organize several years later.

In 1998, the Midfield City Council changed the name of Midfield Street to B.Y.Williams, Sr. Drive in his honor. And in 2007, he received the B. Y. Williams Sr. Community Service Award.

Other offices he has held and honors he has received outside of Midfield are too numerous to mention. He was an exceptional person and he will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 29, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. at Valhalla Funeral Home with funeral service on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at Valhalla Chapel. Graveside Services will then be moved to Elmwood Cemetery.

Special thanks to Care First Hospice for their professional and compassionate care.