Jerre Williams passed away on May 8, 2025. He was born on August 4, 1937, to Fred and Ida Mae (nee Weyerts) Williams. He spent his childhood exploring the world around Alpine, TX with his 2 brothers and often helped his mother with cooking and other activities. His mom was a reading specialist, and his dad an accountant. She played the organ for their church and had a beautiful soprano voice. He was known for his gregarious nature and great sense of humor. As their son, Jerre loved music and placed a great premium on a good joke. Jerre was known as quite the storyteller. He was knowledgeable in a wide-ranging and wild array of topics that those who knew him would delight in.

He got his bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, where he met his future wife, Doris. They both played alto saxophone in the marching band. They married after his graduation, and their complete and shining unity endured for 63 years, ending only by Doris' passing on October 16, 2022. They had a partnership of closely shared values, goals, and devotion.

Their shared ideal of service led Doris to teaching and Jerre to social work. His first job was in the State Hospital in Austin, while Doris finished her degree at UT Austin. Jerre later got a master's degree in Social Work from UT Austin, commuting from Houston while Doris held down the fort at home.

Jerre soon became a Director for Harris County Child Welfare during a period of rapid growth of both the county and the department. He became interested in computing in the first days of personal computers, and he learned programming on his own. He helped create the child welfare IT department, which he then directed.

Jerre and Doris gave the best of their time and effort to parenting. They raised two girls before four more children came fully into the formerly small family. They raised two boys, and loved and supported the girls, who were starting their independent lives. They were given a wealth of wonderful grandchildren to give their love, time and guidance, and they were continually grateful for these gifts. Jerre held his roles as a dad and granddaddy as his most important. Doris and Jerre instilled their ideals of service and their appreciation of creativity in their now large family.

Jerre was never without a project of some sort. Jerre and Doris became skilled DIYers. Doris conceived of home improvement ideas, which Jerre would implement, often with clever refinements. They did tiling, framing, drywall, cabinetry and electrical work. He sewed, did art glass projects, photography (even making a foldaway darkroom setup) and carpentry. After their early retirement, they moved from Houston to Kerrville, where Jerre got involved in woodturning, joining the Hill Country Turners. He took up the saxophone again in his 80's, learning music theory in order to try his hand at jazz. They travelled a lot, in America and Europe, and, when possible, they left no museum unvisited. They also loved a good walk in nature.

Jerre was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Ann, his parents, Fred and Ida Mae, and his brothers, Fred and Dennis. He is survived by his children, Wendy, Amanda, Cheryl, Kristal, Ken and Joe. He is survived by his grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Christina, James, Erica, Rochelle, Dana, James, Randy, Marisa, Thomas, Taylor, Christian, Camryn and Joseph.

Memorial services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Grimes Funeral Chapels, with a visitation preceding the service beginning at 1 PM.

Jerre suggested that donations might be given to Planned Parenthood or Hill Country Turners.

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