Winifred Gene Williams

Winifred Gene Williams passed away Friday, June 30, 2017. Born September 1, 1936 in Oklahoma City, OK to Jack and Virginia Williams. At a height of 6’ 6” he was a towering presence to everyone with a large soft loving heart for family and friends. He was nicknamed ‘Slim’, ‘Uncle Wimp’, but was generally known as ‘Gene’.

He attended North Dakota State University, was ROTC, worked many odd jobs, played college basketball and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Following graduation he was commissioned into the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant Officer. He had two tours of duty during the Vietnam War earning multiple medals including the Bronze Star, multiple tours in foreign countries, (Germany being a favorite) and retired after 30 years as a Colonel. Ethical beyond reproach – Duty-Honor-Country meant a lot to him and he lived it.

Gene was a perfectionist – wanting and expecting things done the right way. He would learn how to do anything quickly and meticulously. He generally took the task on himself to make sure it was done correctly. He worked on cars, electricity, built his own workshops, landscaping, anything you could imagine from start to finish.

With an unending sense of humor, Gene was constantly telling stories of tales throughout his early life and Army escapades. His love for life, family and friends were evident by everyone who knew him. A true patriarch of his family, Gene was truly loved and respected. He would intervene during crisis to help fix and secure the situation, having them lean on him for strength and guidance. The word friend, to him, also translated to family.

After retiring from the Army he took every opportunity to travel and visit his sister, brothers, sons and grandchildren so he could catch up with time he missed with them while serving in the Army. If there was a family event, he was there.

Although he was an extremely hard worker, Gene lived the classic fairytale life having married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Brown. They met while attending High School in Williston, North Dakota and were married on his twenty-first birthday.

Gene is survived by his bride of 59 years, Mary Lou, his son Paul (wife Joyce and their children Matthew and Christopher), his son Marc (wife Julie), sister Mary Jane Elkins (husband Richard Elkins), brother Jack Williams (wife Kathy), Christine Williams (sister-in-law to deceased brother Clayton) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and adopted family.

A visitation is scheduled for 6-8 PM Thursday, June 6 at Crawford-Bowers funeral Home in Killeen. Services and interment will be at Central Texas Veteran's Cemetery on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 1PM.

Services are under the care of Crawford- Bowers, Killeen.