Jim Williams is a Grand Rapids native who spent his early years at Dickinson School and graduated from Creston High School. After receiving a degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, Jim joined his father in creating Williams Distributing in 1971. After guiding the growth and success of Williams Distributing for almost 50 years, Jim retired in 2020.
Jim has played a key role in community transformation and has served as the President of the Home Builders Foundation, President of the Gerald Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America, President of the GR Rotary Club, and Board Chair of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, among many other board and community roles. Jim still serves as one of three co-chairs of the Public Museum’s capital campaign.
Jim and his wife Sue have three children—Amanda, Lizzie, and John—and 6 grandchildren. Sue and Jim live on a farm in Cascade care for 5 horses together.
