On February 12, 2016, Joseph "Cookie" W. Williams laid his last piece of flooring and taught his last class. He was of the Baptist faith and lived each day to its fullest. Cookie was 81 years, 7 months, and 1 day, born on July 11, 1934 to the late Joseph S. Williams and Edna (Malone) Williams. On June 1, 1957 he married Virginia Ann (Smith) Williams, residing in Stearns, Kentucky. Cookie is survived by a daughter, Debbie Jo (and Edward) Peterson of Somerset, Kentucky; two granddaughters, Amanda Jo (and Joseph) Lester of Pine Knot, Kentucky, and Ashley Nicole (and Dan) Cleland of Lexington, Kentucky; a very special great-grandson, Colin Edward Cleland; two sisters, Nancy (and Bill) McGuffey of Bronston, Kentucky, and Kathy (and David) Ross of Marshes Siding, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews. Cookie was a retired teacher of the McCreary County Board of Education, having taught at Pine Knot High School, McCreary County High School, and McCreary Central High School. He enjoyed the teaching profession and helping students achieve their highest ability. Cookie taught many family members and students how to properly do hardwood floors. Cookie also had a passion for designing and refurbishing hardwood floors and always enjoyed seeing how families would react after the floors were completed. This passion was also one of his father's that was passed to Cookie, to his daughter, and to his granddaughters. He was also well known in the community for Williams Hardwood Flooring. Cookie spent many hours after school working tirelessly as an advocate for teachers of Kentucky. He served as President of the McCreary County Teachers Association, President of Middle Cumberland Teacher Association, KEPAC, sat on the Board of Directors for KEA and oversaw the building of the KEA Office Building in Frankfort, Kentucky. He enjoyed attending UK football games, fishing, basket weaving, and attending his granddaughters events after retirement. Cookie was also Commissioner of the Whitley City Fire Department, which he enjoyed helping the firefighters better serve the people of McCreary County and to be safe while fighting fires. A graveside service was held on February 14, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Pine Knot Cemetery with Bro. Roger Bryant officiating. Friends wishing to honor Cookie's memory may donate to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Lake Cumberland. Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home served the family of Mr. Joe "Cookie" Williams.