LeRoy James Williams Jr., age 81 of Maryville, IL, born in East St. Louis, IL, passed away on Sunday, September 1 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

Lee graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1961. He married Carolyn (nee Wallace) Williams on April 6, 1963. Lee started his career as a salesman in the industrial piping industry until reading about an opportunity to own a franchise within the American Pool Players Association. He and Carolyn operated the Busch Pool League introducing the league to the metro area. After selling the franchise, Lee envisioned an upscale retail and recreational pool room where families and friends could enjoy the sport in a fun atmosphere for all ages. Thus, Brenden's Billiard Center in Fairview Heights opened its doors in November of 1988. After 19 years, a desire to change things up a bit led Lee and Carolyn to open Baxter's. In their time together, they enjoyed attending billiard trade shows around the United States and taking in the sights all along the way. Lee and Carolyn retired in 2011.

Lee was an avid marksman, a lifelong member of the NRA and a member of Caseyville, Piasa and Town & Country Rifle and Pistol clubs. He enjoyed the sport of bullseye shooting for over 50 years and loved to compete at the National Championships at Camp Perry in Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy J. Williams, Sr. and Gertrude (Lang) Lee; and son, Brenden Lee Williams.

Lee is survived by his wife, Carolyn of 61 years; a daughter, Dena (Michael) Lay; granddaughters Amanda Morgan (Andy Lochmann) and Hailey Williams; grandsons Parker Lay and Jarrett Williams.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 7th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a memorial service following officiated by Rev. Dale Skeesick. A private burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.