Wilson Daily Times, 9 May 1945.

James Williams was a Wilson County native working in Nash County when he was killed by his employer.

Though the attack was unprovoked, Davis was charged only with manslaughter. He pleaded nolo contendere, a legal response in a criminal case where the defendant does not admit guilt, but foregoes trial and accepts the punishment as if he were guilty. Davis was sentenced to 3 to 5 years in state prison, which was suspended, and five years probation. He paid Williams’ hospital and funeral expenses and was ordered to pay Williams’ estate $4750. In essence, Davis got away with murder.

Nashville Graphic, 30 August 1945.

Williams’ death certificate reveals that he was stabbed in the left lung, liver, and stomach.

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On 12 August 1938, James Williams, 22, of Nash County, son of Will and Rosa Williams, married Senora Hall, 16, daughter of Weldon and Pearlie Williams, in Nash County, N.C.

In the 1940 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer James Williams, 23; wife Senora, 17; and daughter Jearleen, 1.

In 1940, James Joseph Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 April 1916 in Wilson County; lived at Route 1, Wilson, Wilson County; his contact was wife Senora Williams; and he worked for Watson Tobacco Company, South Lodge Street, Wilson.

In July 1945, Senora Williams was named administrator of her husband’s estate and named herself and daughters Geraldine and Bettie Lou Williams as his heirs.