In Memory
James Kent Williams
April 27, 1943 ~ January 9, 2023
James Kent Williams, 79, died Monday, January 9, 2023 at Beacon Place in Greensboro, NC.
Mr. Williams was born April 27, 1943 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Kenneth Edwin Williams and Lois Kite Williams. He graduated from Indiana University and continued his education at West Point where he played in the West Point Band, before entering the US Army. Kent retired in 2012 after 43 years as a Music Professor at UNC-Greensboro. He also performed with the Greensboro Symphony.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta Shelton Williams; daughter, Erin Masterson; son, Jordan Williams; step daughter, Pamela Shelton Bass; sister, Elaine Stover and husband Nelson; and two grandchildren.
A private service will be held for immediate family and a public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Post Office Box 750, Merrifield, VA 22116-0844 or to AuthoraCare Hospice, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.
01.17.2023 djb
https://www.forbisanddick.com/obituaries/J-Williams-5/#!/TributeWall
Patricia Rice Miller (Fraze) (1961)
My sincere condolences to Loretta and to Kent's family. He is someone with whom I'd had contact, intermittently, since our days at Lincoln Elementary and was able to meet for dinner in NC while we were both working and I was on a business trip. Kent was one of the nicest guys and a good man. One of my oldest memories is of Kent drumming his fingers on his school desk when he was not on his actual drum set. He always sent a Happy Birthday email in recent years. I have many happy memories of this fine man and am very sorry to hear that he passed.
Lynne Witt (Barnaby) (1961)
I too have fond memories of Kent from our days at Lincoln and throughout our years at Riley. We were often seated together alphabetically as our last names were close; Williams and Witt. His drumming on the desk is one of those memories! I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathy to the family.Ron Camp (1961)
I too am sorry to hear of Kents passing. A lot of memories from Lincoln and Riley playing with Kent in band. Also played in dance band with him at Riley.He was fabulous drummer.
Ron Camp
Robert Irving Lerman (1961)
I am stunned and saddened at Kent's passing. We had a great deal of fun playing many musical gigs together. Even in high school and soon after, he was clearly an accomplished musician and a pleasure to have as our drummer. Although we did not remain in contact, I do recall interacting with Kent about his coming to Washington, DC to research a project on the wonderful composer Vernon Duke. I am glad to know that at least some of this work surfaced in concert, such as one at Elon University with Kent and colleagues presenting a lecture recital.
My sincere condolences to Kent's wife and the rest of his family. May his memory be a blessing.
Kent Wilcox (1961)
Sorry to hear of Kent's passing, my condolences to his family. Aside from sharing the same middle name, by which we both went, our last names found us enjoyably sitting near each other in many classes. The similarity of our names, alphabetically,led to some memorable moments.We also sat together at the 50th. Kent was a great guy and an accomplished man, I am honored to have been associated with him.
Marsha Weinstein (Kite) (1961)
I join the other "W's" who sat near Kent and enjoyed his desk-drumming. I have good memories of him, his humor, and of course his musical talent. Condolences to Loretta and all of his family.