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Bozos Might be the Very First Building

Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q

Posted on July 31, 2022July 18, 2022 by ML Williams

Since 1923

A story of Bozo and the Williams Family


Bozo’s Bar-B-Q Original Site

Bozo’s Bar-B-Q was founded in January of 1923, by Thomas Jefferson “Bozo” Williams. The first building was very small. In fact, there wasn’t enough room for tables so everyone was served at the counter with a “pig” sandwich costing only 15 cents! The restaurant was located on the east end of town near Charleston-Mason Road/Washington Ave.

During the early 1920’s, the road connecting Memphis to Nashville was a winding road. It looped through Fayette County before crossing the railroad tracks at Mason, and continued down Washington Street. In 1925, portions, of what is now Highway 70, were completed so Mr. Williams looked to find a better located on the west side of town.

Uncle Allen on his bicycle in front of Bozo's. (1925 Building)
Uncle Allen on his bicycle in front of Bozo’s. (1925 Building)

Second Location of Bozo’s Bar-B-Q

Bozo’s Bar-B-Q moved into a small building in 1925 on Hwy 70. The site is the same as the current location. This building was a combination of the Bar-B-Q Restaurant and a Shell Gasoline Station. During the first few years, it operated with only a counter. Later, a side room with a few tables were added to the restaurant. During the time at this location, Bozo Williams was saving money to buy his own place as he was currently renting the property. Bozo’s remained at this location until 1933 when he’d saved enough money to purchase the land across the street for his own building. the current location of the Bank of Mason. In 1933, he moved his restaurant across the road into a white wood-framed building.

Aunt Iris standing in front of Bozo's.(1933 Building)
Aunt Iris standing in front of Bozo’s. (1933 Building)

Third Location of Bozo’s Bar-B-Q

In 1933, Bozo purchased the land on the south side of Hwy 70 where the Bank of Mason now stands. This building was a white wood-framed building and it was larger than any of the previous Bozo locations. There was a small counter and a room for eight tables with a pot belly stove. A carport roof protected the gas pump at the front of the restaurant. The Bar-B-Q pit was located at the back of the building, and there was a small room for Bozo to sleep at night. Bozo’s was at this location from 1933 to 1941.

Bozo is Gone but the Restaurant Remains

Mr. Williams continued to operate Bozo’s until his death from pneumonia in 1935. During his life, he was married to Fannie Cotton Richardson Williams, or Mama Fannie as family members called her. Bozo and Fannie had eleven children who affectionately called him “Papa”. When Bozo passed way four of his children were still living in the house with Mama Fannie. These children consisting of three daughters and one son became the heirs and co-owners of Bozo’s. There were many long hours spent in the restaurant in which friendships were created and stories shared. Sometimes you will still hear customers telling you about their favorite Williams’ story or of the great friendship shared by the siblings, Mrs. Iris, Miss Rubye, Miss Helen, and Mr. Allen Williams.

1941 Brings Big Changes

Nineteen hundred and forty-one great changes came to Bozo’s Bar-B-Q and to all of America. In November, a fire destroyed the building Bozo had worked so hard to buy. Then in December all of America was thrust into World War II after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. These were horrifying times for everyone.

The fire department could not determine a specific reason for the restaurant fire. However, it is believed by the family, that the pit cook fired the meat heavily and, then, left the pit unattended which caused the fire.

Bozo's Hot Pit Bar-B-Q in Mason, TN
Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q in Mason, TN

1942 Bozo’s Bar-B-Q a New Building

Another whitewood-framed building was finished in 1942 and looked vary similar to the burned-out building. Of course, the new building was a little bigger and there were not any gasoline pumps.

During Warld War II, the menu was forced to change yet these changes proved to satisfy many of the Bozo’s customers. Salads and sandwiches which are still on the menu today were added. The menu expansion was a result of changes in pork deliveries. In an effort to support the war, pork deliveries were limited to once a week.

In the same way the Williams family did its part to serve the country during the war. Miss Helen joined the Women’s Army Air Corps (WAAC) to serve in flight towers at the Army Air Corps bases. Miss Rubye worked at Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis while Mr. Allen performed security duty at the Naval Base in Millington, TN. Miss Iris stayed home to run the family business. After the war, Miss. Helen, Miss. Rubye and Mr. Allen came back home to run Bozo’s on a full or part time basis.

Bozo’s Bar-B-Q After the War

The building across the road leaves many with colorful stories. Many remember the slot machines used for gambling and how hot sauce was poured into empty whiskey bottles and placed on the tables. You could also enjoy a “cold one” (beer) with your Bar-B-Q. Another infamous memory is when the carload of Mexicans, who were traveling from New York to Mexico City, lost control of their car and plowed into the front porch of the restaurant.

Bozo’s Bar-B-Q has Another Fire

The second building also fell victim to a fire in November of 1949. Miss Helen suspected a gas leak since a gas line was installed a week or two before the fire, but there was no evidence to verify her suspicions.

When word of the fire reached newspapers, offers of help came from friends, family and customers. Mr. Harry Coleman of Covington, TN arranged for the delivery of five army surplus quonset huts that served as the dining area. One hut was used for the kitchen and storage area while a second hut served as the Bar-B-Q pit. The other huts served as a dinning area. The surrounding community’s help came so quickly the Williams family was back in business in just seven days.

Current Bozo's Bar-B-Q location on opening day 1950
Current Bozo’s Bar-B-Q location on opening day 1950

Bozo’s Bar-B-Q a New and Final Location

In January of 1950, construction began on the present day Bozo’s building. The Williams had been saving money since 1933 to purchase the lot across the street from their current location. The new lot was on the same side of the highway as their family home and they were finally able to buy the land. The “new” restaurant opened for business on Wednesday, April 5, 1950.

Customers and friends sent so many flowers opening day there was barely room for customers at the counter on that busy Easter Weekend. Car hops delivered food to cars during the first year or two in the new building. The restaurant was air conditioned in 1952, becoming one of the first buildings in Mason to have that luxury. Walker Chevrolet donated a clock in 1950 that still keeps time today. Business was so brisk, that an automatic dishwasher was installed in the new building within a month or two of being opened.

Inevitable Changes

  • 1945: The Williams family started a tradition of closing for two weeks vacation starting on Labor Day. The practice of closing for a two week vacation continued until 1988
  • 1960: Restaurant is now open on Mondays and closed on Sundays
  • 1963: Sweet Bar-B-Q sauce was introduced to accompany the famous Hot Sauce; beer continued to be sold until the early 60s
  • 1968: Greyhound buses no longer stop at Bozo’s due to Interstate 40 opening and their routes changing
  • 1963: The neon sign that graced the front of the building was installed on November 22, 1963, the same day President John F. Kennedy was killed
  • Early 70s: Customers could hear their favorite songs on the juke box
  • 1988: Coca Cola Company discontinued the popular returnable bottles that was one of the unique features at Bozo’s
  • 1989: The original neon sign was replaced by a new neon sign patterned after the old sign
  • 1991: Onion rings were added to the menu
  • 1995: In January, Bozo’s started closing on both Sunday and Monday in order to have more time with family

Bozo’s Employees

Many employees have enjoyed long careers at Bozo’s. Mammie Taylor started chopping Bar-B-Q in 1964. Julia Wright began waiting tables in 1967, and Lottie Dowell started cleaning dishes in 1972.

Here are some of the people that worked longer than ten years at Bozo’s:

  • Annie Bone
  • Doris and Wayne Hamby
  • Earnestine Jones
  • Lucy Kimble
  • Alma Twisdale Lane
  • Ernest Lauderdale
  • Dorothy Maclin
  • Shorty Maclin
  • Sandra Martin
  • Faye Perkins
  • Rosie Powell
  • Sally Seay
  • Betty Stafford
  • Celia Thompson
  • Ruth Twisdale
  • Bertha Waddell
  • Jake Whitmore
  • Thelma Yarbrough

Also, many members of the Williams family worked at Bozo’s throught the years, the most notable being John Alfred “TJ”, son of Bozo, and, TJ’s wife, Lexie Williams. Dot Williams Cottam helped manage the restaurant from 1979 to 1990.

Death of Family Members

Sadly, there were some deaths of family members involved with the business. Miss Fannie Williams, Bozo’s wife, passed away in 1960. Miss Iris Williams died in 1963. Mr. Allen Williams died in 1972. Miss Rubye Williams passed away in June 1991 after a long period of illness due to strokes. Miss Helen passed away in 2004.

Movies

A scene from Walk the Line was filmed at Bozo’s in 2005. The movie is a biopic of Johnny Cash. During the scene, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) and Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) are sitting at the counter in warm conversation.  The scene does not last long but it is exciting to see the local restaurant on the “big” screen.

Passing the Restaurant to the Next Generation

Jeff Thompson, the former owner of Bozo’s, began working at the restaurant at the age of 14. He is the great-nephew of Miss Helen Williams and great-grandson of Bozo Williams. Jeff started cleaning tables during the summer of 1973 and continued to work summer vacations for six of the next eight years. Jeff studied restaurant management at the University of Tennessee, and worked several years for two restaurant chains in Atlanta before returning to take over the family business. Miss Helen sold the restaurant to Jeff in February 1988 so she could retire. Jeff Thompson kept Bozo’s Restuarant until 1999 when he sold it to Hayne Ozier. Hayne continued to serve Bozo’s famous Bar-B-Q until June 2008.

In June 2008, John and Cindy Papageorgeon bought Bozo’s and continue to serve the same quality Bar-B-Q as the previous owners have since 1923.

1933 Mexicans Ran into Restaurant
1933 Mexicans Ran into Restaurant
1933 Mexicans Ran into Restaurant
1933 Mexicans Ran into Restaurant
1950 Approaching Bozos on Hwy 70 from Mason
1950 Approaching Bozos on Hwy 70 from Mason
1950 Bozos 2013
1950 building Bozos in 2013
1950 Bozos New Building
1950 Bozos New Building
1950 Third and final Bozos as it is today
1950 Third and final Bozos as it is today
Bozos Might be the Very First Building
Bozos Might be the Very First Building
Uncle Allen with Customers Child
James Allen Williams, Uncle Allen, with little John Seay beside Bozo’s in the late 1940s. The Seays are long time residence of Tipton County. This picture is from Aunt Helen’s collection.
Uncle Allen with his dog in front of the Williams home on Hwy 70
Uncle Allen with his dog in front of the Williams home on Hwy 70
Aunt Iris Aunt Doris Aunt Rubye Aunt Helen Uncle Allen
Aunt Iris Aunt Doris Aunt Rubye Aunt Helen Uncle Allen
Aunt Iris
Aunt Iris
Aunt Rubye at the counter in Bozo's
Aunt Rubye at the counter in Bozo’s
Thomas Jefferson "Bozo" Williams
Thomas Jefferson “Bozo” Williams
Bozos Interior before Walk the Line
Bozos Interior before Walk the Line
Bozos Opening Day 1950
Bozos Opening Day 1950
Bozos Opening Day 1950
Bozos Opening Day 1950
Mama Fannie and Aunt Rubye
Mama Fannie and Aunt Rubye
Shorty Cooking Bar-B-Q in Huge Brick Ovens
Jake Whitmore cooking Bar-B-Q in Huge Brick Ovens
Uncle Allen Aunt Rubye Aunt Helen Mama Fannie Aunt Iris
Uncle Allen Aunt Rubye Aunt Helen Mama Fannie Aunt Iris
1950 Bozos Grand Reopening  Day 1950
1950 Bozos Grand Reopening Day 1950
1942 Bozos
1942 Bozos
1925 Uncle Allen on Bike in front of Bozo's
1925 Uncle Allen on Bike in front of Bozo’s
Aunt Iris in front of Bozos
Aunt Iris in front of Bozos
Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018
Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018

[Information provided by Jeff Thompson, photos from Helen Williams’ Family album]

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Welcome!

Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018
Mary Lynne Williams with Kenny Faulk at Bozos Bar-B-Q in 2018

My name is ML Williams. I am a hiking, fossil hunting, God loving, coffee drinking, hot fries eatin' middle school math teacher! I love researching my family history and, since my family is from Tipton County, I love researching the people and areas of Tipton.

Thanks for visiting my site and good luck in your quest!

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© 2018-2021 Tipton County, Tennessee
Mary Lynne Williams

Shelley, Barbara June Abbott

BARBARA JUNE ABBOTT SHELLEY | 52, of Drummonds, Tenn., clerk for Abbott Jewelry, died Thursday at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Tipton in Covington, Tenn. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Munford (Tenn.) Funeral Home with burial in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Drummonds.  She leaves a daughter, Kimberly Ann Douglas, and a son, James D. Shelley, both of Atlanta; her parents, John and Reamonia Millican Abbot of Drummonds; a brother, Paul Abbott of Memphis, and five grandchildren.

[Barbara June Abbott Shelley; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 14 Dec 2003; Pg 29]

Janie Reamonia Rann

JANIE REAMONIA RANN, 17, of Drummonds, Tenn., clerk for Abbott Diamond Enterprises, died Thursday at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Munford (Tenn.) Funeral Home with Burial in Poplar Grove Cemetery in Drummonds. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. She leaves her great-grandparents who raised her, Reamonia and John Abbott of Drummonds; a half-brother, John Abbot Peak of Texas, and her grandmother, Barbara Shelley of Drummonds.

[Janie Reamonia Rann; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 20 Sep 2003; Pg 15]

John A Murrell Death

Lillian Oreed Smith

Lillian was born August 22, 1903, in Tipton County, Tennessee and died June 22, 1992, in Covington, Tennessee.  She married William Austin Rhodes, May 25, 1924.  William was born July 18, 1894, and died September 17, 1980.  Lillian taught school in the schoolhouse at Bethel as a very young woman.  Then she went to Memphis where she met and married Austin.  They operated drug stores, sometimes one and sometimes two, in north Memphis most of their adult lives.  One of the stores was on Leath Street very near Humes High School and the other was on Manassas Street.  Rather late in life, they bought the old Smith family house and four acres from Lillian’s mother, Della, and moved back to Tipton County.  They put in a hen house for laying hens and sold eggs until retirement.  Austin and Lillian never had any children.  They both are buried in the “New Part” of Bethel Cemetery.

[ from An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County, page 178]

Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes Obituary

ATOKA – Lillian Smith Rhodes, 88, retired merchant, died Monday at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton after a long illness.  Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Munford Funeral Home with burial in Bethel Cemetery.  She was a member of Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Home Demonstration Club.  Mrs. Rhodes, the widow of Austin Rhodes, leaves a sister, Carmen Smith of Memphis, and two brothers, A. T. Smith of Atoka and Richard Smith of Gautier, Miss.

[Rhodes, Lillian Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 24 Jun 1992; Pg 11]

Delayed birth certificate Lillian Oreed Smith
Delayed birth certificate Lillian Oreed Smith
Lillian Oreed Smith and W A Rhodes Marriage License
Lillian Oreed Smith and W A Rhodes Marriage License
Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes
Lillian Oreed Smith Rhodes
Richard Arnold Smith

Richard was born on June 29, 1912, and died in Pascagoula, Mississippi on June 3, 1994.  He married Zelma Wright on October 19, 1940.  Richard attended college at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.  I do not know if he got a degree or not.  After college, he went to work for Continental Gin Company as a sales engineer in Birmingham.  He and Zelma lived there for a long time.  He finally did transfer to Memphis and lived there for several years.  During his years with Continental Gin Company, he traveled a lot, even to India for several months to install a cotton gin there.  After a long career with Continental, they bought a small tourist court in Pascagoula and moved down there to operate it.  This facility consisted of several individual cottages scattered through a pine grove.  They did most of the work themselves, just hiring people to supplement in areas that they could not see after twenty-four hours per day.  Most of their clientele were extended stay types who worked on the shrimp boats that fished out of the Pascagoula harbor and construction workers who were there for several months at a time.  Of course, they did do some overnight business, too.  Later in life, when the work became too difficult, they sold the tourist court and retired to Dolphin Island where they lived until Richard died.  It is assumed that both Richard and Zelma are buried in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

[An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County]

Jackson County Memorial Park

Iva Electa Smith

Iva Electa was born April 20, 1901, and died December 24, 1991, in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee.  She married Lenvil Gordon Beaver on March 30, 1925.  He died February 21, 1949.  They lived in the community that was named after his family, Beaver, or sometimes referred to as Beaver Town.  There was a store and cotton gin, both of which he owned.  They lived in a house that sat across the road from the store.  They had five children: Lenvil Oneda, Iva Shirley, Steve, Carmen Theo, and Lemuel Gordon Beaver.  Gordon and Iva Electa are buried in Ravencroft Cemetery in Tipton County, Tennessee.

[An Illustrated History of the People and Towns of Northeast Shelby County and South Central Tipton County, page 178]

After the death of Gordon in 1949, Iva Electa married Jesse Ray Blakey on 21 Aug 1970.  Both the bride and the groom were 69 years of age.

Iva Electa passed away on 24 Dec 1991.  Her obit is below:

BRIGHTON – Electa Smith Beaver Blakey, 90, former teacher, died Tuesday at Hardin County General Hospital in Savannah.  Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Munford Funeral Home with burial in Ravenscroft Cemetery.  She was a member of Beaver Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and the Women’s Bible Class.  Mrs. Blakey, the widow of Gordon Beaver and J. R. Blakey, leaves three daughters, Lenvil Leadbetter of Savannah, Shirley Dyer of Clinton, Ill., and Carmen Harshfield of Somerville; a son, Gordon ‘Lem’ Beaver Jr. of Brighton; two sisters, Carmen Smith of Memphis and Lillian Rhodes of Savannah; two brothers, A. T. Smith of Atoka and Richard Smith of Gauthier, Miss., 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Electa Smith Beaver Blakey; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN; 26 Dec 1991; Pg 29
Electa Smith Beaver Blakey; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN; 26 Dec 1991; Pg 29

 

Gordon and Electa Beaver's Headstone in Ravenscroft Cemetery
Gordon and Electa Beaver’s Headstone in Ravenscroft Cemetery
Delayed Birth Record Iva Electa Smith
Delayed Birth Record Iva Electa Smith
Electa Smith marriage to Lenvil Gordon Beaver
Electa Smith marriage to Lenvil Gordon Beaver
Electa Smith Beaver Marriage to Jesse Ray Blakey
Electa Smith Beaver Marriage to Jesse Ray Blakey
Carmen Theo Smith

Carmen was born on 24 Oct 1898 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  After graduating high school, Carmen moved to Memphis where she was a bookkeeper and secretary for William G. Smith.  William owned a refrigerator business.  They soon fell in love and where married on 24 Jun 1927.  William had three children from a previous marriage, and he and Carmen did not have any children.  They lived on E. Cherry Circle in Memphis.  According to Wayne Smith, their house was very nice and sat on about two acres of land.  Carmen died on 6 Feb 2000 in Shelby County, Tennessee.  Both William and Carmen are buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

Obituary for Carmen Theo Smith

Carmen T. Smith, 101, of Bartlett, retired bookkeeper for Smith’s Refrigeration Co., died of heart failure Sunday at Ave Maria Nursing Home.  Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Park.  She was a choir member at Broadmoor Baptist Church, taught Sunday school, and was a charter member at Sunset Baptist Church.  Mrs. Smith, the widow of William G. Smith, leaves a brother, A. T. Smith of Atoka, Tenn. The family requests that any memorials be sent to Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Churchin Atoka.

Carmen T Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 8 Feb 2000; Pg 14
Carmen T Smith; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 8 Feb 2000; Pg 14

 

Delayed Birth Certificate
Delayed Birth Certificate
1910 US Census
1910 US Census
1920 US Census
1920 US Census
1940 US Census
1940 US Census
1950 US Census
1950 US Census
Allie Perry Smith

Allie was born about 1865 and died on 10 Aug 1911.  Allie worked as a clerk in  a store in Randolph, Tennessee.  He never married.

There is an old rumor that Allie was shot and killed.  The suspect, a jealous husband, but no one was ever charged with the crime.  It seems, although an interesting story, this cannot be true as his death certificate states he died of Typhoid Fever.

Fannie Smith

Fannie was born in 1867.  She married John W Reeves (1862-1945) on 7 Feb 1889 in Tipton County, Tenn.  The couple had two children:  Baudine and Finis Henry Uric.  The Reeves family was instrumental in the growth of business and church affairs in Atoka.  John was a merchant for many years and he was very active in the civic projects of the town.  They were members of the Methodist Church, where Fannie taught Sunday school.  Their son, Finis, born 6 Aug 1895, was confined to a wheelchair because of a spinal injury he received as a child.  He died on 28 Jan 1924, at the at of 29. Fannie, John and Finis are buried in Bethel Cemetery.  Baudine, who was born 19 Nov 1893, married James C Smith (1891-1981) on 3 Sep 1916 in Tipton County, Tenn.  Baudine died in Dec of 1981 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery.

 

William Richard Smith

William was born February 16, 1863, and died 22 Oct 1900.  He married Lula Victoria Aycock.  The couple farmed between Tipton and Bethel on land they had purchased.  William and Lula had two daughters, Dorcas Smith and Gladys Smith, and one son, William R Smith who was born 16 Feb 1901, and died 25 Feb 1902.  William and Lula are buried in Bethel Cemetery in unmarked graves.  Their son, William, is buried in part “C” of the cemetery.  They are probably buried in that vicinity.

After William’s death, Lula married Walter Lyles. Walter had a child from a previous marriage named Helen.  Walter and Lula did not have children.

Edward Scott Smith

Edward was born 1860 and died in 1932.  He married Laura McCormick who was born 1859 and died in 1945.  They lived in Shelby County near the Tipton County line just south of Bethel Road.  They farmed, but the land was very poor and they did not do very well.  After their children were grown, Ed and Laura moved into a house located on Tipton Road between Tipton and Munford.  They are buried in the “C” section of Bethel Cemetery.  The children of Edward and Laura McCormick were daughter Myrtle and twins Roger B. and Rodney.

John Alexander Smith

John Alexander married Jarusha Dorcas Walker Oct. 28, 1959 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of John and Frances Walker.  Jarusha was born July 20, 1842, and died April 24, 1917.  John and Jarusha are buried in the “B” section of Bethel Cemetery.

Arthur Theophilus Smith said that he always heard that John and Jarusha did not own the house and property where they were living when John died.  This property was located in Shelby County between Tracy Road and Mudville Road.  Today the road is known as Mulberry Road.  Somehow, Jarusha managed to raise seven children and purchase a portion of the property, at least the house and maybe some land.  The children of John A. and Jarusha Walker Smith were:  Edward Scott, William Richard, Allie, Fannie, Auther Theophilus, Wyatt Andrew and Johnny LeAndrew.