Our beloved Dad, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather, Wayne Atwood Williams, was called home to heaven April 10, 2026. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Monday April 20, 2026, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 4710 Hercules Ave., El Paso, TX 79904 at 10:30 am.
Born to be a soldier- MSGT Wayne Atwood Williams was born on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1932. He was born to Libon and Leola Williams in Ringgold, Louisiana at 11:11. Wayne spent his childhood as a southern farm boy, alongside his eight siblings where he learned his lifelong passion for gardening, treasuring the small beauties in life and caring for God’s living creatures. At age fifteen, he joined the Army from his hometown in Tallulah, Louisiana to help care for his family. He served in the military for twenty years before retiring in El Paso, Texas in 1968. The military is where he met the love of his life, his wife Fay, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They were married for nearly sixty years. During his time in the military, he served in the Korean War, Germany and Panama. He earned many military service awards for his courage and leadership. After his retirement as Master Sergeant, Wayne went onto work for Allied Construction and Paving in El Paso, Texas. Wayne paved the roads for some notable landmarks in El Paso, including Transmountain Road, Cielo Vista Mall, and the parking lot of his church, Hillcrest Baptist Church. He also owned his own business called Wash-A-Wash with his son, Dan, washing commercial trucks and big rigs. After his official retirement, he still volunteered in numerous roles, including a family favorite- becoming a crossing guard with his granddaughters at Nixon Elementary school.
The proudest and most important work of his life was the work that was done in service to the Lord. Wayne spent decades as a Deacon at Grandview Baptist church, and Mountain View Baptist church. Later in life, he would also take on a role as a Greeter at Hillcrest Baptist church. Over the years he has served and led many ministries with his church including the prison outreach ministry, the military outreach ministry, and a primary member of the financial committees. Wayne’s warm demeanor, genuine care for others, selflessness, abounding love and servitude meant that he never met a stranger, and without a doubt led many to the Lord.
Wayne is survived by his daughter, April; granddaughters, Emily and Bethany; great-grandchildren Roselynn and Levi. He is survived by his sister, Pat and Sister-in-law, Ruby. He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda Fay; son Roger Dan; and infant daughter Lisa Gay. He was also preceded in death by his parents Libon and Leola; three brothers Lynn, Exton, Wayman, and four sisters Loie, Lynda, Nina, and Virgina Gayle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church or The Gideons of El Paso. Wayne’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Abraham Gonzalez for his tremendous health care throughout Wayne's life, as well as the staff at Avir Patriot and Hospice of El Paso for their loving care.
