Felix "Buddy" Earl Williams

Born December 9, 1945 in Columbia, Alabama to the late Jesse and Eva Harp Williams, Buddy was educated at Socastee and Myrtle Beach High Schools, the Fort Benning School for Boys and the University of South Carolina. Buddy completed a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1992, and continued his service with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, retiring again in 2004. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, 3x Bronze Stars with combat “V” device, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with combat “V” device, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry and many more. Following retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Claudia, to Europe and across the U.S. to visit family and friends and, most importantly, grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his pranks, jokes, playing with his grandkids, work ethic, constant patience and calming demeanor, as well as his willingness to help a family member, friend, or colleague in the middle of the night, then lie about already being awake.

In his last couple of years, while the onset of dementia robbed him of his interactions with family and friends, it never affected his caring concern for his family or friends. During this time, he taught us patience and allowed us to show him just a small measure of service he had long shown all of us.

His memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife, Claudia Howell Williams; his son, Jesse Williams (Anna) of Vicenza, Italy and daughter, Rebekah Johnson (Ryan) of Dixons Mills, AL; his six grandchildren, Fletcher Williams, Holden Williams and Maisy Williams, Ashlyn Johnson, Aubrey Johnson and Aidyn Johnson; his sisters, Nel Leslie (Pete) of Boone, NC and Ramona Carter-Miller (Butch) of North Myrtle Beach, SC, along with several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Mrs. Dorothy Dixon, charge nurse, and entire staff at NHC Parklane for the loving and compassionate care they gave Buddy.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Buddy’s life at a viewing from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC and burial with full military honors to follow at 3:00 p.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, with Pastor Ryan Johnson officiating. Memorials are welcome and can be made in lieu of flowers to Boys Farm, Inc., PO Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108.