Henrietta Williams

January 18, 1937 – September 14, 2026

Henrietta Williams was a lady every day of her life.

She was the daughter of Susie Mae Simpson White and bluesman Bukka White, the subject of the recently released biography The Life and Music of Bukka White.

She was 18 years old when she left Aberdeen, Mississippi, population 5,200, with her childhood sweetheart, the late retired Master Sergeant Clinton C. Williams.

They arrived in Detroit, a city with a population of 1.8 million, according to that year’s census.

Days later, she was married and almost instantly became an Army wife—the first step in a journey that would later make her an Air Force wife as well.

Eventually, they landed and retired in Universal City, Texas.

She put herself through college as a later-in-life student, taking night courses at what was then Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

She became a banker at Broadway National Bank in San Antonio, Texas, a career she loved and eventually retired from.

She and Clinton stressed the importance of education as they put four children and multiple grandchildren on the path to college or military service.

She was an avid gardener and became a master quilter. Through her friendship with neighbor Carmeline Squires, a former Universal City mayor, she committed to more than a decade of community service on the Beautification Committee.

But for all that she accomplished after leaving that small Mississippi town, no role was more important to her than being a mom and a “Meemaw.”

She never missed a school meeting, football game, art show or band performance for her four children and did the same for her grandchildren.

She loved her family with her whole heart, every day of her life, and immeasurably showed that love in ways that will never be forgotten.

As a woman of faith, she taught her children to always do the right thing. She exuded class and patience and extended kindness to everyone she met.

While many of her relatives are gone, loving family members remain in Mississippi. Here in Texas, a circle of friends who became family will always adore and remember her.

When her husband, Clinton, passed away in March 2026, they had been married for 70 years.

Together, with Henrietta’s knowledge of finance and Clinton’s real estate experience, they built a life and an investment in their future.

They purchased more than a dozen homes, making sure their children, grandchildren or veterans in need had a home.

But their greatest investment was never in houses or property. It was always their family, and that family is the greatest testament to the life Henrietta and Clinton built together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bukka White and Susie Mae Simpson White; her brothers, Sonny White and William Walker; and her husband, Clinton C. Williams.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Walker; daughters Vicki Williams (widowed) Kathy Williams, Lisa Williams Youngblood and son-in-law Jason Youngblood of Universal City; and son Terence Williams of Wisconsin.

Her grandchildren include Terence Clinton Henry Williams; Trent Williams and his wife, Gianni; Trevor Williams; Travis Williams; Lindsey Williams Carlson; Kaitlyn Youngblood; Ryan Williams; and Mia Youngblood, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by dedicated family friends Eleanor Thomas, Bertie Fields, De’Siera Pascal Sierra Randolph and Cindy Andrews.

Henrietta’s life was one of faith, family, service, strength and grace.

And perhaps there is no better way to say goodbye than with the words of her favorite hymn:

Lord, haste the day

When faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trumpet shall resound,

And the Lord shall descend.

Even so, it is well with my soul.

There will be a private graveside service for Henrietta at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on October 5, 2026. A Celebration of Life service for the many friends and family of Henrietta and Clinton will be held in Mississippi a few weeks later.

In a nod to her love of gardening, flowers to be placed at the gravesite can be sent to Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas 78148, between 9 a.m. and noon on October 5, 2026.

The family is grateful for all of the love and support they’ve received.