Catching up with Joe Williams

I'm fourtunate to have known Joe a long time.  Joe started racing back before I was born, but I was able to see his final days behind the 112 before he retired.  Joe is always just a  real nice guy to be around and never was too shy to sit down for a beer and some good conversation.  Suprisingly though, you don't always hear him talk to much abou this race days.  Joe always says that if he gets to talking about it, he'll go home and dream about it again.  Totally understand.

Joe still resides in Arrowsmith and still makes his way around the area.  He used to be a Jeep enthusist and always had a great eye on them.  He still has one that I know of that to my knowledge has not sold even though being offered several time.  He still has a love of automobiles as he is always quick to jump into any conversation about vehicles.  Sometimes a gear head never can walk away from what he knows.

My recolection of Joe racing in the early 80's was mostly at Farmer City.  I still remember some nights up in Kankakee.  Joe's cars were always very recognizable in the baby and royal blue pait scheme.  Of course his 112 was a unique number beings it wasn't very often to see a triple digit number.  I recall a few Joe's sponsors.  He was sponsored by his employer, Glass Specialty for a number of years. I remember antoher sponsor in Strickland Cheverlotte.  He also was loyal to his long time buddy and at one time racing competition Butch Hixon. In all the years I can recall, Joe drove Hixon motors until he retired.

As stated before, Joe lives in Arrowsmith where he is retired now.  He has had some health issues the last few years.  He recently had a stint put in and a few years back had some work done on his shoulder.  He takes time out during the farming season to help a long time friend get his crops in and out.  He enjoys being with his long time friends and occasionally you'll see him behind the wheel of a RV as he likes to take in some camping and boating.  As far as being at a race track, he's been there a few times and being able to watch is easier on the memory that it used to be.