Marvin L. Williams Sr.

Marvin L. Williams, Sr., 81, of Crystal River, FL, passed away on Sept. 7, 2012 at his home. A native of Homosassa, FL, he was born Dec.19, 1930 to Harley and Victory (Head) Williams, one of five children. Mr. Williams working life held many facets.

He moved here in 1973 from Cocoa, FL, where he had been employed at Cape Canaveral (then Cape Kennedy) as a crawler transport operator for 17 years, responsible for moving rockets to the launching pad. When he arrived in Citrus County, he was the owner and operator of the Wheel Inn Restaurant and a Gulf Oil service station. His lifelong love of fishing made him a skilled fishing guide; widely loved, respected and high in demand along the Homosassa River, an occupation he held here for over 38 years. Marvin was a U.S. Army Korean War Infantry soldier and a member of Christian Center Church in Homosassa.

He loved to play softball even late in life and while in Crystal River High School, then located at the present Middle School site, Mr. Williams was a member of the high school state champion football team, a special distinction as the teams were made of only six players. Marvin is survived by his wife of 56 years, Christine S. Williams of Crystal River; son Marvin (Ted) Williams, Jr. and wife Teana of Crystal River; son Michael Williams and wife Teresa of Homosassa; daughter Terri Herring and husband Chuck of Homosassa; brothers Raymond, Alec and Tommy Williams, all of Homosassa; grandchildren Tommy, Michael Jr., Tiffany, Andrea (and her husband D.J., currently deployed to Bahrain in the U.S. Navy), Heather, Jessica, Shelby and Katie; great grandchildren Ava, Nathan, Grace, Isaac, Benjamin, Bryson, Lilly, Cailin, Blake and Carson. He is also survived by his faithful dog, Buddy Lee. Funeral services will be held on Wed., Sept. 12th at 11:30 A.M. at Christian Center Church, U.S. 19 and Green Acres Street, Homosassa with Pastor Marcus Rooks officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Stage Stand Cemetery, Homosassa Springs. Friends will be received at the church from 10:30 A.M. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to HPH Hospice, 3545 N. Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465 www.wilderfuneral.com