Jarvis Eric Williams, 46, of Palatka, (former Miami Dolphins safety, Florida Gators great, and star high school athlete at Palatka High), entered the sunset of life as a result of an acute asthma attack just before midnight Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at Putnam Community Medical Center in Palatka. The ninth of nine children born to Johnnie & Beulah (Thenson) Williams, he was a native and lifelong resident of Palatka, born May 16, 1964. He was educated in the Putnam County School District and a 1983 graduate of Palatka High School. He was affiliated with Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church and participated in the Mens ministry.

Jarvis was a lifelong athlete who was initially active in the City of Palatkas youth leagues starring in baseball (National League All-Stars representing Germany Texaco) and on the Intermediate All-Stars basketball team. During High School he was a wide receiver as well as a defensive back for the Palatka Panthers football team and excelled in basketball, holding the PHS assist record for several years. Jarvis was a key player for Palatka Panthers football team that won the state 3A championship in 1981.He was selected for the 1981 and 1982 All-County Team. After graduating from high school, Jarvis received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville. During his career at the UF, he was a four-year starter at defensive back, starting for 45 consecutive games; twice named first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC); garnered national honors as a first-team All-American; selected second-team Sporting News All-American and named to the Walter Camp All-American team. He recorded 239 total tackles including 172 unassisted; His10 career interceptions ranked third all-time for the Gators when he graduated. As a senior, he led the 1987 team in tackles (77) and punt return yards (222) and was also a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nations top defensive back).

Williams was chosen by the Miami Dolphins as the No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He started in the Miami secondary playing as a starting safety for the Dolphins from 1988 to 1993. In 1988, he was awarded rookie of the year. In 1989, the Broward County Dolphins Booster Club bestowed the Mr. Excitement award to Jarvis Williams & Louis Oliver The B2 Bombers. In his first five NFL seasons, Williams (who wore Jersey #26) recorded fourteen interceptions, including one he returned forty-two yards for a touchdown in 1990. He joined the New York Giants for his final season in 1994. Over his seven-season NFL career, Jarvis finished with 555 tackles, 16 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 touchdown. In 1999, Jarvis was named among Putnam County's athletes of the century by the Daily News and was a first-team selection on the Suns UF Team of the Century. Jarvis was inducted into the University of Floridas Athletic Hall of Fame (F Club) as a Gator Great in 2001.The City of Palatka City Commission proclaimed May 16, 2001 as Jarvis Eric Williams Day on his 37th birthday. He will long be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players/star safeties (and one of the hardest hitters) in Gator football history. Jarvis was always the kindest guy off the field, but the toughest player on the field.

Jarvis dedicated his life to coaching and helping young people. He fulfilled his lifes professional career as a volunteer defensive coordinator with Interlachen High Schools football team. He formerly assisted at Trinity Catholic High School (Ocala) and Palatka High School. He participated, volunteered and/or sponsored numerous events including Pop Warner Football, Mens Basketball League, Mens Softball League, the Jarvis Williams football camp, the Kerwin Bell Football camp, and City league Basketball. As recently as March 12, Williams competed with a multitude of other players at the Miracle of Life Foundations 1st Annual Family and Friends Charity Golf Tournament in Orlando.

He was also a former automobile sales representative at the former St. Johns GM Superstore in Palatka. Everybody that met Jarvis knew him as a very quiet person and a fun-loving guy with a riddle. Sports were his passion and he dearly loved his family, and more especially underprivileged children in the neighborhood. Compassionate, caring, and soft-spoken, he would give his last to reach out to someone in need.

Jarvis was preceded in eternal rest by his beloved parents, Johnnie and Beulah Williams; paternal grandparents, Joe Henry & Emma (Perkins) Williams; maternal grandparents, Joseph Nathaniel & Clementine (Wilson) Thenson; aunts, Lucille T. Baldwin, Bertha Lee Baker, Clara Sis Benjamin, and Marie Dean; uncles, Moses Bo Williams, Joe Hoover Jay Williams, Felton Williams, and John Henry Nun Williams.

Those who will cherish his legacy most: three sons, Jarvis Jay Williams, Palm Coast; Jarvis Eric Williams, Orlando; Devin Williams, Palatka; two daughters: Jarisha and Jaraunda Williams, both of Orlando; stepson: Derrick Harmon, Palatka; four sisters, Joyce E. Williams, Orlando,; Janice E. Etheridge, St. Augustine, Jacqueline A. Williams, Palatka; June E. (Perman) Eubanks, Palm Coast; four brothers, John A. (Shirley) Williams, Clearwater; Jerry A. (Ama) Williams, Deerfield Beach; Julius E. (Charlene) Williams, Ft. Lauderdale; Janson A. Williams, Palatka; two grandchildren, Elisha Williams and Khalia Williams, both of Orlando; uncles, Joseph (Nellie) Williams, Willie (Barbara) Williams, both of Rockledge; Michael Owens, Tampa; aunts: Bernell Williams, Orange Mills; Lila R. Williams, Palatka; Devoted Fianc: Vanessa Richmond, Mt. Dora; and a host of nieces and nephews; countless cousins, colleagues, friends, and supporters.

Visitation of Family and Friends will be Friday, June 4th from 4-8 p.m. at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka. A Celebration of Life honoring Jarvis will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 5th, at Beasley Middle School Auditorium, 1100 S. 18th Street, Palatka. The Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery, 712 S. Palm Avenue, Palatka.