John James Williams (1904-1988) - Find a Grave Memorial

U.S. Senator. Before entering public service he established the Millsboro Feed Company. In 1924, he married Elsie Steele. In 1946, he served on the Millsboro Town Council. He had a passion for Delaware and American History, which he passed on through his family. John was elected to the US Senate in 1946, defeating incumbent US Senator James M. Tunnell. During his terms, he served a Republican US Senator. Altogether, he served for 24 years (4 terms), from January 3, 1947 until December 31, 1970, when he resigned. John was Delaware's first four-term U.S. Senator. He served during the presidential administrations of Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon. John, was even considered a possible running mate for President Eisenhower in 1952, but removed himself from consideration. He was again considered for a spot on the Republican ticket in 1964 and as a possible replacement for Agnew in 1973. He announced in 1969 that he was retiring and would not seek a fifth term in the Senate. During his public service on "Capital Hill," John was often called the "the Conscience of the Senate." On December 31, 1970, he resigned from the Senate just before the end of his term to allow US Senator William Roth Jr., to gain additional seniority in his new class of US Senators. He was a member of the Freemasons, the Rotary, and the Shriners. John passed away January 11, 1988, in Lewes, DE. He received a Methodist burial service and interment followed at Millsboro Cemetery in Millsboro, Delaware.