William T. “Bill” Williams, 84, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord and his wife on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at Franklin Woods Community Hospital. William was born and raised in Watauga, Tenn., and was the son of the late Terry L. Williams and Ruby Ophelia Curtis Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Alona Williams; a step-son, James Don Berry; and a sister, Betty Lou Freas.
William was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and Trevecca High School in Nashville and later earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from George Washington University. He joined Company F, 278th Infantry RGT in 1949 and was activated in 1950. He served in the United States Air Force until 1955 and was a veteran of the Korean War. William was a member of Tennessee Army National Guard as a T/SGT, a member of the Navy Reserve and was recalled to active duty. He was a Navy Pharmacy Tech graduate and Independent Duty School (Advanced Hospital Corps School) and retired from the United States Navy as the Chief Hospital man (SS) with 33 years of service. William earned several medals including two Navy Achievement, Korean, UN, National Defense, Expert Rifleman, Sharpshooter Pistol and Naval Reserve. He was a former member of Fairview Baptist Church of Watauga, Tenn., Oak Street Baptist Church and West Colonial Hills Baptist Church of Kingsport, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher, student of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek languages, Messianic Judaism and was a student of Messianic Judaism.
Those left to cherish his memory include one daughter, Terri Lalona Garber and husband Chuck of Kingsport; two grandchildren, Laura Alona Williams-Potter and husband Charles of Erwin, Tenn., and William Logan Garber of Kingsport, Tenn.; one great-grandson, Collin John William; and a half sister, Helen Ledford of Elizabethton, Tenn. Several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive.
A graveside service to honor the life of William T. Williams will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, at Mountain Home National Cemetery with the Veterans Administration Chaplain officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Attention: Gifts, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Williams and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.