“Big John” Williams remembered during annual motorcycle ride

Published 12:35 pm Tuesday, June 22, 2021

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Multiple motorcycle clubs from across the state of Alabama came together to celebrate the life of  Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams during the second annual “Ramblin Thunder” motorcycle ride.

The event, which took place Saturday, June 12, was organized by the 45 Riders MC and the John Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund committee.

Starting from the John Williams Court House in Hayneville, Alabama, bikers traveled approximately 134 miles of Lowndes County to keep the memory of “Big John” alive.

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Organizers from the event asked that all riders donate $10 and all vendors pay $25 for their spot. All the proceeds collected were then presented to the John Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Sheriff Williams was shot and killed after an altercation at the QV convenience store in November of 2019.

The shooter, William Johnson, is charged with capital murder and appeared at the Lowndes County Courthouse back in January for his preliminary hearing.

The motorcycle ride occurred just one month after the Lowndes County Children’s Policy Council awarded the first annual Sheriff John Williams Memorial Scholarship to three Lowndes County seniors.

Those students were Chasity Talley of Calhoun High School, Jonathan Gary of Central High School, and Jake Hooper of Lowndes Academy.

The students received a $2,000 scholarship and a gift basket courtesy of the council, local attorneys, and courthouse staff.