Captain Jack D. Williams (retired), 89 years old, born December 26, 1931 in Waukee, IA passed away peacefully in his Fleming Island, FL home on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The son of Hap and Wynette Williams of Waukee, IA, Jack received a basketball scholarship in 1950 to attend UCLA. While in California he enlisted in the reserves and was called up to serve as a Marine pilot during the Korean War. Jack was a decorated veteran, who earned a purple heart for being wounded in combat. He also received the Desert Shield / Desert Storm medal for flying troops into Kuwait during Desert Shield and firefighters after Desert Storm. He flew and worked as an administrator for Eastern Airlines for 34 years and Omega Airlines for 2 years. He met his current wife, Rita Williams, in the real estate industry in Jacksonville, FL. Jack loved his family, his dogs, going on adventures, hunting, fishing, sailing, diving, woodworking, and traveling of any kind, especially in the RV.
He is predeceased by his father Hap Williams, mother Wynette Williams, and first wife Betty Jordan Williams. Those left to cherish his memory include his current wife Rita Higginbotham Williams, and their children Mike (Denise) Williams, Pat (Dana) Williams, Diane Williams, Mark (Heidi) Williams, David (Shirley) Williams, Liza Williams, Andrea (Andrew Hope) Cash, Melissa Cash and his two sisters, Luana Spencer and Shiela Johnson. He has 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, including our newest addition to the family, baby Jack who is 3 months old.
A graveside military service with honors will be held at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, November 8th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org). Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Rd, Middleburg, FL. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.
