Scott Williams

Richard "Scott" Williams passed from this life into the next on October 5, 2023, at 64 years of age, after a four-year fight with glioblastoma. Scott was born in Jackson, Mississippi on July 25, 1959, the son of Colleen Price Williams and Val Gene Williams. He spent his early years in Jackson and in New Orleans with his younger brothers, Jay and David. Scott graduated from O. Perry Walker High School in 1977 and went on to earn a degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi.

More importantly, at Southern Mississippi, he and Ellie Battalora Williams first met. Scott and Ellie married in 1985, a marriage that lasted his remaining 38 years. They had seven children together, and over the past decade, he became the proud grandfather to five grandchildren.

After an early career in journalism, Scott spent almost three decades working in Christian ministry, including 18 years at FamilyLife. He loved conversation and communication, and remained a skilled and humorous writer until his illness took away his pen. His family and his faith in Jesus Christ were of utmost importance to him. Scott and Ellie were active members of South City Church and treasured the community they found there.

Ever the avid birdwatcher, he managed to add several birds to his extensive life list, including a rare sighting of the lesser goldfinch. He rediscovered a love of cycling and created the Erase the Trace ride to benefit glioblastoma research. He cycled the full 444 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway with the support of the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation and his friend and cycling coach John Burrell, raising money and awareness for glioblastoma.

Scott was grateful to live another four fulfilling years after his diagnosis. In his final years, Ellie was his primary caregiver, and he spent almost every waking moment of his final months with his best friend and life partner.

Scott is survived by wife, Ellie; children, Brian Williams (Carolina M. Siniscalchi), Amy Williams Teague (Jared), Christopher Williams, Jeffrey Williams, Joy Williams Reinbold (Jonathan), Benjamin Williams, and Rebekah Williams; and grandchildren, Harper, Otto, Obadiah, Gianna, and Aaliyah; as well as his mother, Colleen Price Williams, and brother, David Williams. He was preceded in death by his father, Val Gene Williams, and his brother, Jay Williams. Scott was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend and will be missed dearly.

A graveside service for the family will be on Saturday, October 14, at 2 pm, and a celebration of Scott’s life, open to the public, will be held the same day at South City Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erase the Trace fundraiser for glioblastoma research (Scott Hamilton Foundation), FamilyLife (a CRU ministry) or to South City Church, Little Rock, AR.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pinecrestfh.com for the Williams family.