AMERICAN VETERAN

Killeen Daily Herald
Killeen, Bell County, Texas
July 5, 2017
 

Winifred Gene Williams

Graveside services for Winifred Gene Williams, 80, of Salado will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Mr.. Williams died June 30, 2017 at his home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Jack and Virginia Williams.

He attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He also played college basketball, worked many odd jobs and was a part of ROTC.

Following graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He had two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, earning multiple medals including the Bronze Star, did 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.

Mr. Williams was nicknamed Slim and Uncle Wimp, but was generally known as Gene. At a height of 6’6” he and was a towering presence with a large, soft, loving heart for family and friends.

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.

Survivors include 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.

He was preceded in death by his brother Clayton.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, which is handling arrangements.

photo source: http://kdhnews.com/obituaries/winifred-gene-williams/article_9a25056e-612d-11e7-8245-ab10d6cf6232.html