Leonard "Lee" Williams, Jr.

Leonard Lee Williams, Jr of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on Saturday, February 22nd 2020 following heart surgery. Lee was born on December 3, 1940 in Jacksonville, Florida to “Steamboat” and Frances Williams. He was born the oldest of three boys, followed by Palmer and Michael Williams.

Lee graduated from Leon High School in 1958. After starting college in Gainesville and spending some time at "that other school", he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and made his way back to Tallahassee. He graduated from Florida State University with a BS degree in mathematics. Lee served two years in the US Army stationed in Germany, and made extra money by loaning money to fellow servicemen before payday, and selling candy bars at 3 times their cost. Lee returned to FSU to attend graduate school and law school. It was during that time that he met his bride Ann Darling Williams at a study session in the Theta house. They were married June, 1968, celebrating 52 years of marriage. Ann D and Lee relished in time spent with family and friends. Trips to the Keys, playing tennis, tailgating at FSU football games and snow skiing adventures allowed them to cultivate lifelong friendships. Well known for his effectiveness in the courtroom, Lee spent his career as a trial attorney with the law firm Williams Gautier.

Lee and Ann D were blessed with children, Chip Williams and Laura Darling Whittington. Having done their part to raise these two amazing people, they were thrilled when Kristen Brinkmeyer Williams and Rich Whittington came on the scene to take Chip and Laura off their hands in marriage. Further blessed with grandchildren Meyer & Holden Williams, and Avery & Jack Isaac Whittington, Lee affectionately became known as "Deuce", a name he took great pride in.

Lee was a longtime member of Grace Church of Tallahassee and most recently Wildwood Church. When he taught Sunday school back in the day, he used 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 to share the simplicity of God’s message of salvation: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He read this every Sunday and always wanted his students to know the simple truth of the Gospel. With his vast knowledge and education, it would have been easy to talk over high schoolers and he never did.

After retiring as an attorney, he brought the same focus and veracity to the game of golf and had three hole in ones during his first year of play. He enjoyed golfing with his grandson Meyer and his regular groups at Quincy, Havana and St James Bay. His joy as a grandfather grew as the grandkids grew into amazing kids – and he was always game to spend days and weeks with them, adventuring or simply playing cards, reading a book or watching them play sports. He adored the FSU Seminoles, even in their EARLY years and was a season ticket holder for over 40 years. He was vocal in his opinion of each season and even burned a vintage FSU corduroy hat in the tailgate lot after a fateful FSU v Miami loss. Boating and fishing were an important part of his life, and many life lessons were learned on the water. His boat “Tight Knot” was a pun on his tightly wound nature and his short obsession with knot tying.

His retirement years were full of joy and adventure. He painstakingly rebuilt his beloved coast house with the vision of a gathering place for family and friends, built to withstand any hurricane mother nature could throw its way. Golf trips allowed for travel, time outdoors and time spent with Ann D. Summers in Colorado with his children and grandchildren were particular highlights, always leaving Lee exhausted but eagerly sharing antidotes and stories upon return. Family and friends took high priority, and he had a loyal and steadfast presence. Lee was never shy with his opinions, and his dry wit combined with a passionate heart made him a great conversationalist.

Despite our sadness, we rejoice in knowing that the Lee is now in the presence of the Lord. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tallahassee Young Life at P.O. Box 3743, Tallahassee, FL 32315 (giving.younglife.org/tallahassee) or the Ding Darling Wildlife Foundation at P.O. Box 565, Sanibel, FL 33957 (dingdarlingsociety.org) or the National MS Society at 8940 Western Way, suite 16, Jacksonville, FL 32256

A celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 12:00 noon at Trinity United Methodist, 120 Park Avenue, Tallahassee with a reception to follow.