James Williamson Athey

James “Jim or Jimmy” Williamson Athey passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife, Bobbie and children at his side on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Born in Breckenridge, Texas, on Dec. 12, 1934, he was the son of the late Howard Williamson Athey and Ferne Bever Athey.

Jimmy served in the armored infantry in the Texas National Guard at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Polk, Louisiana from June 1953 to June 1963. He was a graduate of Sam Houston State University and Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration. Jimmy worked for Gulf Oil Corporation for 29 years, retiring in 1986, followed by employment at Safety-Kleen and Maurice’s Barbecue. He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was affectionately known as PawPaw. Jimmy was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lexington, South Carolina. He was a founding member of the Biscuit Eaters.

Surviving is his wife of 62 years, Roberta Lou Athey; son, James Williamson Athey Jr. of Windham, New Hampshire; daughters, Stephanie Dawn Athey of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Tracy Lynn Athey of Lexington, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Madalyn Kamkar Chambers, Robert James Nalbach, Jonathan Williamson Gregory, Ethan Taylor Gregory, Stephen Christopher Nalbach, Duncan Alexander Gregory, Sarah Elisabeth Nalbach, and James Williamson Athey III; four great-grandchildren, Emma Elaine Chambers, Cyrus James Chambers, Elisabeth Grace Nalbach, and Daniel James Nalbach; brother, Howard Estol Athey of Dallas, Texas and sister, Linda Lea Parham of Honey Grove, Texas; cousins, Robert Alexander and wife, Peggy of Columbia, South Carolina, and Shirley Athey of Turtle Creek, Texas.

A memorial service will be held for Jimmy at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 E Main St, Lexington, SC 29072.

The family would like to thank Pastor Mack McDowell for his comfort and support. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 309 East Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072 or at lexumcsc.com/give.