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Joseph F. Williams Hears Last Retreat Sound and Responds

Joseph F. Williams died last night. The city and county have lost a friend, the community a man of sterling worth and his family a kind and loving member.

Joseph Williams was born 81 years ago the twentieth of last month, and served his country during those dark days, when the life of the nation trembled in the balance, back in 1861. Like many another state of Maine man, for he was a member of the Seventh regiment from that state, he came from the war with a record for bravery and distinguished action.

After the war he pioneered in the west, living for a number of years at Minneapolis, MN, the Missoula Mont. and later removing to Chico Calif. Sixteen years ago he came with his family to Santa Cruz and has been identified with many humanitarian enterprises.

It was on December 8, last year, that he and his good wife celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding and the members of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps took delight in making that an occasion of joy and gladness.

For the most of his residence in this city Mr. Williams was the officer of the humane society, going from one end of the county on errands of mercy, investigating charges of cruelty and restraining those who thoughtlessly or otherwise practiced cruelty. As such officer he exercised all the authority of a peace officer and never did he abuse that authority.

A son Harry Williams of Los Angeles, and a daughter, Mrs. Bertha Mittower, of Missoula, Mont., and his wife survive him, the latter being greatly affected by his death. There are also four grandchildren and one great grandchild, none of whom live here.

Mrs. Mittower, of Missoula, arrived a few days ago and has been in attendance at his bedside.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Chase parlors, his pastor Dr. Palmer, of the Congregational church saying the farewell message and the comrades of the G.A.R. gathering to sound "taps" for him.

Notice To G.A.R.

All comrades of Wallace Reynolds Post, will please meet at Post headquarters on Friday, April 25, at 1:30p.m. to attend in a body the funeral of our late comrade, J.F. Williams (Bring badges)
W.H. Read, Commander.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (April 26, 1924)

Services Over Civil War Vet

The funeral services over the late Joseph Williams were held yesterday afternoon at Chase's undertaking parlors, where his many comrades of the G.A.R. and also friends were there with the sorrowing members of the family.

The Woman's Relief Corps, in which he was always interested attended the last rites as conducted by Dr. B. M. Palmer, as Mr. Williams was always in his place on Sunday morning at the Congregational church.

The service of the G.A.R. was also conducted, and the room held many beautiful flowers. The hymns were sung by Mrs. Nellie Bangs and Mill Luella Blanchard.

Comrades of the Civil war served as pallbearers and carried the flag covered casket. the burial was at the SCruz/OMP cemetery.

Date of Birth: 1843-03-20

Date of Death: 1924-24-04

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Oakwood Memorial Park

Plot: O7/12

Mortuary: CCC

Cause of Death: Hrt/Carditis

Date of Marriage: 1863/12/08

Spouse: (Williams)_ Armanda

Occupation: Law/HumnScty

Religion: Co

Local Address: Water St 118

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: ME

Father Native of: Joseph (ME)

Mother Native of: Spooner_ Abigail (ME)

Enlisted: 1861/08/21

Discharged: 1864/08/21

Military Unit: ME_ 7 Inf_ Co E

Rank: Cpl

Military Notes: R-N.Anson _Co. E & K

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1924/04/24