James Statham

James R. "Jim" Statham of Williston passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2022; he was 96. Born June 27, 1926, in Miami, Florida, to Annie Clark and William Benjamin Statham, he graduated from Webster High School on February 5th, 1944. ("Strawberry schools" finished in February so students could pick strawberries for three months; the new school year began at the beginning of summer.) Upon enlisting in the Army-Air Corps, he was sent to Japan. Jim entered Stetson University in 1947, married Margaret "Mike" Statham of Macon, Georgia, in May of 1948, and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Accounting. The young couple moved to Ocala, where Jim took a job as a cattle buyer for Swift Meat Co. He then was hired by Cecil Webb to work for Dixie Lily Milling Co. in Williston; he and Mike lived there until 1969 with their three children. They relocated to Cedar Key then Brandon and Orange Park before moving to Humboldt, Tennessee, where Jim continued working in the milling business until his retirement in 1984. He and Mike returned to their old neighborhood in Williston and built a house across the street from their former home. During retirement, Jim and Mike traveled to Alaska three times (driving!) and enjoyed touring various parts of the U.S. and Canada. He also enjoyed fishing in Cedar Key; the annual November fishing trip with former colleagues became a tradition. Jim also loved reading biographies and non-fiction, segueing to books on tape when he could no longer see. (Thank you, Division of Blind Services!) Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church and former member of Methodist Men as well as the "Good Ole Boys." He also was a member of the Ornan Masonic Lodge, No. 117, in Williston. Predeceasing Jim are his wife of 71 years, Mike; his parents and his sister Billie (Ed) Watkins. Surviving him are his children, Lisa (Jim) Posteraro, Jimmy (Amber) and Eric (Joan); his nephew Norman (Lynn) Story; great-niece Tammy Greenblum (Richard), great-nephews Garrett (Carrie), Chris (Tiffanie) and all their children. Also surviving him are many cousins from the Rufus and Emma Clark family and the Norman and Sarah Statham family of Wilcox Co. Georgia. The family would like to acknowledge with much love, gratitude and appreciation Jims amazing caregivers who allowed him to remain in his home until shortly before his passing: Deloris McCray-Camp, Carolyn Hill, Ashley Childree, Hope Hutchison, Yvonne Johnson, Trish Norman and Theresa Williams. At Jims request, a graveside service at Orange Hill Cemetery will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with Judge Joseph E. Smith officiating. For those who would like, donations in Jims memory may be made to the Florida Methodist Childrens Home ( www.fumch.org or Florida United Methodist Childrens Home, 51 Childrens Way, Enterprise, FL 32725) or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the caring attention of Knauff Funeral Home, Williston, 352.528.3481. Graveside Service Friday, September 9, 2022 10:00 AM Orange Hill Cemetery 3240 NE 180th Avenue Williston, FL 32696