Herbert Wake Williams

Herbert W. Williams, age 87, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. Herbert was born July 24, 1925 in Jacksonville, Florida to Dudley Wake and Effie (Oglesby) Williams. He served as a Seaman of the Merchant Marines during WWII and retired as president of HB Chemicals. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park. He was also a member of many other organizations including the Local Seaman Association of the Merchant Marines, the Florida Agricultural Service Extension Program, and the Duval County 4-H Foundation. He served as a former deacon of the Marietta Baptist Church. Herbert served as the committee chair of the Greater Jacksonville Open which later became the TPC Open of Sawgrass, and a long time Florida Gator Booster. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother Stamie D. Williams. Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years Shirley Williams; one daughter Arlene Williams; one son Eric Williams (Debbie); one brother Frank Williams (Ethel); three sisters Gail Griffin, Evelyn Bechman, and Isabell Bills; one sister-in-law Flo Williams; two granddaughters Elizabeth and Jenna Williams; and many nieces and nephews. Family will receive family and friends from 10:00am to 12:00 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32205, www.townandcountryfuneralhome.com . A Graveside service will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday December 26, 2012 at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218 with military honors. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in Herbert’s honor to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or 4-H Club, 1010 N McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32254.