
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 25, 1994                   TAG: 9412270111
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                 LENGTH: Medium

JAMES WILLIAMS JR., WYTHEVILLE EDITOR, DIES

James A. ``Shine'' Williams Jr., 87, editor of Wythe County's major newspaper for nearly 40 years and a major booster of the interstate highways that now cross east of Wytheville, died Friday at Wythe County Community Hospital.

Williams had suffered strokes in 1981 and again about 10 years later. He had sold his interest in the Southwest Virginia Enterprise to D. Gregory Rooker of Family Community Newspapers in 1982, but remained as editor emeritus until 1985.

His association with the newspaper started at age 13, when he was hired as a paper folder and ``printer's devil,'' the person who kept a fire going to melt lead for the Linotype printers used at that time. He spent more than 60 years at the Enterprise, working his way up to the top spot at the paper.

In 1932, he became a mechanical foreman. Six years later, he became advertising manager and, in 1944, managing editor. He was named editor and general manager in 1945 and, after purchasing an interest in the paper a year later, became its editor-in-chief, managing editor and general manager.

From that time until his health problems in 1982, Williams and the Enterprise were practically synonymous to the newspaper's readers in Wythe County and beyond. Williams took it on himself to crusade for better highways in his part of Virginia, and founded the Great Lakes to Florida Highway Association to promote them.

He sent his colorful editorials and letters pushing for roads to highway officials, legislators and other power brokers in Richmond and elsewhere. When both Giles and Wythe counties were competing in the 1960s for Interstate 77, Williams was a major factor in getting it routed through Bland, Wythe and Carroll counties.

His last public appearance came in 1987, when he cut a ribbon opening the last segment of Interstate 77 in Wythe County.

Williams organized the Wythe County Chamber of Commerce in 1946 and served as its president, as well as president of the Wytheville Lions Club. He was also an active member of the Wytheville Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Dora, and a son, James A. Williams III, of Wytheville. The couple had two daughters who preceded Williams in death.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Barnett Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wytheville Baptist Church.

by CNB