Dateline: May 3, 2007

Zakery Kniight (James Harold Williams), age 41, born March 30, 1966, and left this world to be with his parents Norma Fetter Williams and Robert Lee Williams Saturday, April 21, 2007, at approximately 10:15 P.M.. 

Jim also joined his grandparents Victoria and Adam Fetter of Palmyra and Dora and Hughey Williams of Mt. Auburn.

Jim, or Zak as he had changed his name to, left behind a fiancee, Denise Connors of Springfield.  He also left a brother Robert Williams of Illiopolis, an uncle Eddie Williams of Mt. Auburn, an aunt Ruth Aebischer of Clarendon, an uncle and aunt Harold & Wanda Stouffe of Corsicana, along with many cousins, a niece Tonya, a nephew Robbie and great-nieces and nephews.

 Jim attended school in Illiopolis, graduated from the School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, IL. After attending classes at Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield College in Illinois, and University of Illinois at Springfield, he was to graduate in May to start his career as a Counselor.  He worked at both the Decatur Herald newspaper and the Jacksonville Journal Courier newspaper.  

Jim was a weight lifter attempting to lift the most weight for his age bracket in Illinois and worked out almost daily.  He had been working out at the YMCA in downtown Springfield for two hours; and as he walked to the bus stop, he experienced a cardiac arrest that took his life 10 days later. 

Graveside services were held at Oak Hill Cemetery, Palmyra, Ill., Sunday, April 29. Donations should go to the family.