Services for James Russell "Prof" Williams, 81, Tyler, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Miles Chapel CME Church with the Rev. Willie McCalister officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park under direction of Brooks-Sterling & Garrett Funeral Directors, Tyler.

Mr. Williams died Oct. 1, 2007, in Tyler.

He was born Aug. 9, 1926, in Wallis to the late Joseph Otto and Senora Lanthan Williams. He attended Dickinson High School and Prairie View A&M University.

He was former band director at Dogan Junior High School and Emmett J. Scott and John Tyler high schools and served as director of music for the Tyler Independent School District until his retirement. He also served as band director at Texas College on two different occasions. He was a member of Miles Chapel CME Church.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph and Howard Williams.

Survivors include his wife, Artelia Thompson Williams, Tyler; son, James Williams, Missouri City; daughter, Senora Williams-Coggs, Silver Spring, Md.; sisters, Marion Lark, Dallas, and Bobbie J. Harris, Houston; and two grandchildren.

Family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.