Harry Lee Williams

Born in Charleston, West Virginia in 1943, the son of Harry Hurst and Lillie Alzina (Keener) Williams of Braxton County, WV. He graduated from Charleston High School and in 1964 he joined the United States Army. Shortly after completing Advanced Infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, Specialist Williams departed on a troop transport ship bound for Vietnam.

One night in September of 1965 in the Gulf of Tonkin, a fellow soldier carrying a full combat load fell overboard in heavy seas and began drowning. Carrying the same heavy load, without hesitation or regard for his own well-being, Specialist Williams dove into the water and saved the man’s life. For his actions and bravery, he was awarded the Army’s Soldiers Medal, the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation.

After his first combat tour in Vietnam, Specialist Williams was promptly promoted to Sergeant and attended the University of Tampa under the Army’s Bootstrap Program, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with honors. Sergeant Williams was nominated the Leadership Graduate by his peers during his Infantry Officers Candidate School and commissioned as a Lieutenant. He went on to lead small unit combat patrols in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Black Lions.”

In March of 1968, Lieutenant Williams suffered nearly fatal wounds after an enemy rocket attack struck his position. He was airlifted from the jungle by a UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter. His tour of duty was over. Despite a lengthy recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and being reinstated to full active service, Harry would carry the physical and emotional scars of that war for the duration of his life.

During his 20-year military career, he served in Vietnam, Panama, Alaska, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, California, and Virginia, with temporary assignments in Europe and the Far East, to include a period traveling and shooting with the Army’s Marksmanship Team. Harry’s service awards include, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Retiring in 1984 from active duty, Harry continued to serve the Country he so loved. He joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, as a civil service member of the Federal workforce. Harry served as their Chief of Security and Law Enforcement for 20 years, retiring in 2005. He was a Life Member of the NRA and the Association of the United States Army, and member of the New Beginnings Life Center Church in Spring Hill, FL.

Harry is survived by his son, Robinson Leigh Williams and his grandson, Leigh Tyler Williams of Alexandria, VA. He is also survived by his first cousin and dear friend, Barbara L. Simmons of Weston, WV. He leaves behind a lifetime of loved ones and dear friends from the “hollers” of West Virginia to the coastlines of Florida and everywhere he hung his hat for those 80 years.

Harry made his mark. His service to and love for his Country had an impact on his son Robinson at an early age. It led to Rob pursuing ROTC after high school and later enlisting in the Virginia Army National Guard, following the attacks on 9/11. Rob would have combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is now a member of the Federal workforce.

As a young man Harry grew up hunting and fishing and passed those passions, especially fishing, down to Rob and Leigh. The three would wet a line together every opportunity they had. He’d say, “A bad day on the water sure beats a good day in the office.” Grandpa Harry was SO proud of Leigh when he pulled in that monster 36lb Potomac River Catfish back in 2020. At the time of this writing Leigh Williams holds the family record of biggest catfish caught.

Being around Harry was infectious. He had a special way to relate to everyone he crossed paths with. He was thoughtful and caring. His delivery while sharing a memory or telling a story made us all lean in intently, eager to hear more. Always with a smile on his face and quick to insert his special brand of humor. Think of all the times Harry Williams made you smile, or touched your heart, or made you proud just to know him.

Let those be our lasting memories.

“If we do meet again, we will smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made.”

- Julius Caesar, to his men prior to battle. One of Dad’s favorites.

Major Harry Lee Williams will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date to be determined.

His family requests that in-lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Blinded Veterans Association.