William "Bill" Edward Williams III

Leander, TX. William Edward Williams, III, a warrior, hero, and veteran, succumbed to his war-time wounds on June 18, 2022 at age 77. He fought a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, a result of Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam.

Bill was admired for his acute attention to detail. He was a skilled craftsman who approached every home project as an opportunity to create a masterpiece. He was a multisport athlete, music lover, choir member, and sometimes painter. There was no bigger fan of National Geographic magazine. Long before map apps, Bill would draw detailed maps for friends to use when they visited. He loved to go to the movies and was always prepared to share a brief review. None could ask for a better neighbor. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

Bill was born to William Edward Williams, Jr. and Nerene Owen Williams in Richmond, Virginia on December 13, 1944. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets for one year before receiving an appointment to The United States Military Academy at West Point.

Upon graduating from West Point in 1968 Bill was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry. He attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course followed by the Ranger Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. After training with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina he volunteered to go to Vietnam where he served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat there. Bill was also the recipient of the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.

Upon returning home from Vietnam he was stationed for one year at Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone. He returned to the US to attend St Mary's University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree (JD) in 1974. He served with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps until his retirement in 1988, including a period working at the Pentagon. He then joined the Office of the Attorney General of Texas where he served for 20 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years Debbie Wicker, herself a decorated U.S. Army nurse who achieved the rank of Colonel when very few women were admitted to this rank. Debbie cared for Bill tirelessly, performing medical and nursing tasks that were sometimes overwhelming. Bill and Debbie loved caring for their many dogs, horses, cattle, and chickens. Lots of chickens.

He is also survived his brother Randy Williams of Richmond, VA, his son Colin Williams (wife Lindsey) of Portland, OR and two granddaughters Hadley and Sadie.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Humaneheroes.org (a no kill animal rescue) or t2t.org (Tunnels to Towers Foundation – creates “smart homes” for disabled veterans and first responders).

A visitation for Bill will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628. A funeral service will occur at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church, 4010 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628. The burial will follow on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Williams family.