Edward O'Neil Williams

Edward was a graduate of Memphis State University in 1953, entered flight training immediately at Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1954.

He served in a variety of aviation squadrons during his career as Operations Officer of a Carrier Reconnaissance Squadron in Vietnam, Commanding Officer of a Fleet Carrier Squadron, Commanding Officer of the RA-5C Vigilante Fleet Replacement Squadron, Wing Commander of the Navy's only reconnaissance wing, Executive Officer of the USS John F. Kennedy, Commanding Officer of the Maintenance Training Group, NAS Memphis and Deputy/Chief of Staff to the Admiral at NAS Millington.

He served for two years as a member of the faculty, NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy, before returning to Memphis and retiring with the rank of Navy Captain on July 1, 1985.

Captain Williams was awarded the following personal decorations: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Ed became Executive Director of Future Memphis in September of 1985 following his retirement and served on numerous boards and civic projects during his tenure. He also served in a chairman capacity each year for United Way, Board of Trustees with Goals for Memphis, Chairman of the Memphis Business/Education Compact, and as a member of the Committee on Health Affairs for Free the Children. He was an active member of Bellevue Baptist Church where he served as an usher. In recent years Ed worked part-time as an associate director for Memphis Funeral Home.

The memory and honor of Captain Williams is survived by his spouse of 46 years, Marsha M. Williams; four daughters Lori Sweat of Loudon, Tennessee, Jan Williams of Memphis, Carol Kaufman of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Darby Hold of Winter Park, Florida; two sons, Michael Williams of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Scott Williams of Culpeper, Virginia, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather Tuesday, December 23, beginning at one o'clock in the afternoon until funeral services begin at two o'clock all in the Lakeland Hall of Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Road, Bartlett, Tennessee, 38133. Burial with Naval Honors will follow the funeral in Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Any memorials in Captain Williams' honor should be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences and directions may be found through www.memphisfuneralhome.net.