Rod was born September 18, 1954 in San Diego, CA. He was the oldest of five children to Gerard Alphonso Williams and Leona Iles Williams.
Rod received his elementary and middle school education in San Diego. In 1972, he graduated from Kearney High School in San Diego. Upon his graduation, he was honored to be accepted into the United States Air Force Academy in Denver, Colorado. During this time, he was a member of the long distance track team. Rod was an excellent student who set high standards for himself academically.
June of 1976, Rod graduated from the United States Air Force with a Bachelor of Science Degree as a Captain. In 1977 he was stationed to Grissom Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana as a Navigator for KC-135s. He loved the analytical aspects of being a Navigator.
The summer of 78, his friend, Prentis aka Junior, asked him to keep an eye on a “girlfriend” while he went out partying, Rod agreed. Well what Rod thought was another of his friend’s “girlfriends”, was actually his friend’s cousin, a beautiful young lady named Lexie. It was love at first sight. After spending that day together, sparks flew! From that point on they were inseparable. Rod married Lexie, his best friend on December 23, 1978 in her hometown of Gibson, NC. They were married almost 34 years, before her untimely death in 2012.
After serving 20 years in the Air Force, Rod retired in June 1996, as a Major at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. In 1996, Rod started working for T.E.C.T Aerospace, 23 years until June 2019.
Outside of work Rod enjoyed many pastimes: playing chess, piano, making pancakes on Sunday mornings, racquetball, board games, and listening to music from funk, to classical, to R&B. He also loved creating memories which he captured over 31 photo albums and boxes of pictures that he had taken over the years. He loved to take pictures of vacations, unusual places, friends, and family.
Rod had a twinkle in his eyes, which was a glimpse into his playful nature. He had a quirky sense of humor and loved Sci Fi and Action movies which mirrored his taste in books. He was rarely seen without one! He was loved and respected by all who got to know his quiet, compassionate, genuine, spirit.
Rod was preceded in death by two nephews; Shawn Green and Richard Williams II, the love of his life; wife Lexie Williams, his loving mother Leona Williams and younger brother Zuberi Badili aka Anthony Williams.
Rod leaves to cherish his memories:
his 90 year old father Gerard (Marjorie) Williams, daughter Derise (Nathaniel) Washington, son Roderick Milton Williams, II and daughter Keshya Williams, grandchildren: DaMarius, Nathaniel, Jr., Na' Darius and A'Lexius, siblings: brothers: Richard (Cassandra) Williams and Duane (Shay) Williams and sister Ruth Ashford, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
The family of Rod wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation all acts of kindness, calls, cards, condolences, prayers and any other expression of kindness in our time of sorrow.
In lieu of flowers, please send cards and donations to Rod's grandchildren for education expenses. To Derise Washington, P.O. Box 101 Kokomo, IN 46903
Rod’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Memorial Chapel of Lakeview Funeral Home 12100 E. 13th St. N. at 4:00 P.M on Friday August 30, 2019.
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