Don was born on July 20, 1932 in Itawamba county to Dewey Dexter and Mildred Graham Williams. The youngest of three children, his family moved to Booneville when he was 11 years old. He attended Booneville High School where he played football and became lifelong friends with his teammates. Graduating in 1950, he joined the United States Marine Corp and was stationed at Paris Island, South Carolina; Edenton, North Carolina, and Cherry Point, North Carolina. He served 3 years and earned the rank of Sergeant. Being a Marine was one of the proudest accomplishments of his entire life. In his final years, he spent hours looking up friends from his units and reaching out to them. He proudly flew the United States and the UMMC flags at his home for many years.
Returning to Booneville, Don attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College and Delta State University majoring in his lifelong passion; history. He met and married Betty Windham in 1959 and made his home in Booneville. He worked for The Memphis Publishing Company for 38 years before retiring in 1998. He and Betty were blessed with three children, Greg, Lisa, and Wendy. He was a very involved and active father, coaching little league baseball and taking his daughters to dance lessons, tennis matches, and various practices. His favorite activities included playing golf with his son, watching the Andy Griffith Show, and listening to bluegrass music.
Don was an avid sports fan. All of his children and grandchildren participated in some activity or another, and “Pop” never missed a game or match. He continued to love and support his Booneville Blue Devils (especially watching the Dukes boys play basketball) throughout his entire life. He also continued to support the Northeast Tigers. He had permanent seats under the goal at all NE basketball games and tried his best to never miss a game. He and his buddies attended the National Junior College basketball tournament in Hutchison Kansas several years. When his grandson played and later coached baseball at NE, he was always there…even traveling to all away games.
A lifelong Ole Miss Rebel, he and his family tailgated at all the home football games throughout the years, and as each of his 3 children and 4 of his grandchildren graduated from Ole Miss, his love for the Rebels was cemented. He and Betty took their children and grandchildren to one “away” SEC game each fall, so the family worked its way through most of the SEC stadiums over the years.
Pop continued to read and study history throughout his life; military history in particular. He and Betty traveled to many military sites throughout their marriage: Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and Normandy Beach near France were two of their favorite WWII trips. They also toured Gettysburg, Antietam, Arlington, Shiloh (numerous times), and Vicksburg National Parks to name just a few of his favorite Civil War trips. His wife and children gifted him with many historical books, so he amassed an impressive military history library.
Don and Betty were active members of First Baptist Church in Booneville and were longtime members of the Adult Choir, Joymakers, and the Berea Sunday School Class. At the time of his death, he was oldest living active member of FBC-Booneville.
He is survived by one son, Greg, and his wife, Kim of Corinth MS and their two children, Graham Williams and his wife Sophia of Memphis, TN, and Molly Grace Myers and her husband Clinton of Chattanooga TN. He also leaves one daughter, Wendy Scott, and her husband, Ray, of Booneville and their three sons: Jon Andy Scott and his wife Kacie, Jake Scott and his wife Cora, and J. Ross Scott, all of Booneville. Pop was blessed with seven precious great grandchildren: Stryker Andrew Scott, Jaclyn Rhea Scott, Clinton Charles Myers II, Jon Williams Scott, Gunnar Kent Scott, John Wallis Williams, and baby boy Meyers, due in September. He is also survived by his nephew, Mike Wood, and his wife Debbi of Memphis, TN.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, his parents, his precious daughter, Lisa Williams, his brother Gerald Williams and his wife Melba; and his sister, Jean Williams Wood and her husband Gene. He was also preceded in death by Gerald’s two daughters, Geraldine and Brenda, who were reared in his home as sisters after the death of their parents when they were children.
A Celebration of Life will be Monday, August 11, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at the McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Doctor Lynn Jones and Brother Jason Reed officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time. Burial will follow in Booneville Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jon Andy Scott, Jake Scott, Graham Williams , J. Ross Scott , Clinton Myers, Mike Wood, Craig Bishop, Brian Holmes, Mark Hatfield, and David Harbin
Honorary pallbearers are Erik Dukes, Josh Dukes, James Dukes, Elijah Dukes, Erik Daniel Dukes, Jack Dukes, and Zeke Dukes .
In lieu of gifts, gifts may be given to support the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS.
