He was the son of the late Francis B. Williams Sr., and Elizabeth Grey Davis Williams and was born on August 30, 1923 in Savannah, Georgia. He was a lifetime resident of McIntosh County.
He attended Darien Public School for 10 years, graduating in 1939. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1943, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He began active duty in 1943 as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers. He was deployed and wounded on January 22, 1945 in Colmar, France, while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation and French CroixdeGuere. Upon returning to the USA, he served at Fort Benning for six months as a Captain.
After active duty, he returned to Meridian and joined his father and uncle in the family timber business. For many years, he operated two general stores in the communities of Meridian and Jones. When The Williams Company Store burned in 1981, his years of store management came to an end. He continued in the timber management business until his death.
He loved photography. At one time, he took photos for The Darien News. His Christmas cards of the family were works of art. He loved stamp collecting and made friends worldwide. He was an excellent tennis player and introduced many others to the sport. He was an avid fisherman and taught many to fish from the docks at The Meadows. He loved sailing, and being on the rivers and marshes. He shared that enthusiasm with many others, instilling an appreciation of Coastal Georgia for generations.
He was a ruthless proofreader and tortured The Darien News throughout his life. He did several crossword puzzles each day to keep his mind alert and sharp. He loved to laugh and enjoyed a good glass of scotch. He was a true southern gentleman, a loving father, and a great American.
He was a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, where he served as church treasurer for 50 years and as chairman and treasurer of the St. Andrew’s Cemetery Committee.
For several years, he served as a McIntosh County Commissioner. He was elected to serve on the Coastal Soil and Water Conservation Commission as District Supervisor and treasurers for 50 years.
Mr. Williams began serving on the Southeastern Bank Board of Directors in 1960 and became an emeritus director in 1994. For many years, he was a member of the Escorts Club.
He is preceded in death by two wives, Margaret Hopkins Williams and Myrtle Miller Hutson; one son, Willis Hopkins Williams; and one stepson, John C. Hutson.
He is survived by one daughter, Margaret “Meg” W. Gore (Thomas); one son, Francis “Frank” B. Williams, III, (Martha); two step-daughters, Catherine H. Mabry (Randy) and Karen H. Fey (Dale); 11 grandchildren; and one-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, from 6PM until 8 PM at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Darien, with the Rev. Ted Clarkson officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his six grandsons, T. Lanier Gore, Willis F. Gore, Robert F. Gore, Brett Baxter, Richard Mason and Stephen Mabry.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Downey, Glover McGhee, Bob Howard, Charles Durant, Jack B. Johnston, Tom Doolittle, Dr. William Laws, Dr. Wade Strickland, Dr. Jack Amie, Jean Tinnin, Dan Hawthorne, Brian Bowen, current and emeritus directors of Southeastern Bank, Steve Holley, Pete Mills, Jerry Harper, and Scott Cunningham.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Drawer 929, Darien, GA 31305. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5