Wilbur Loris Williams

Born and raised in Alma, IL during the height of the Great Depression, Loris was a devoted family man and proud veteran of the United States Air Force. During his twenty-year military career, Loris served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and at stations all around the world, including overseas (Germany and London) and stateside (Montana, Arkansas, and MacDill Airforce Base) before retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1968.

After leaving the service, Loris settled down in Tampa along with his wife Nancy and two children, Dennis and Lori. In Tampa, Loris enjoyed a second career with Fogarty Van Lines—retiring as their Head Dispatcher after twenty years.

Loris loved sports, especially his local Tampa teams, and never missed a Rays first pitch, Lightning puck drop, or Bucs kickoff. It was no surprise that after retirement, Loris worked security at Yankee spring training games where he collected autographs from various players that he enjoyed sharing with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

But as much as Loris loved sports, his greatest loves were his family and the Lord. A devoted Baptist and active member of Covenant Life Church in Tampa, Loris led prayers at all family gatherings where his emotional and heart-felt blessings will be fondly remembered by all who heard them. Later in life, Loris developed a passion for cross-stitching and created framed patterns for his family that will be forever cherished. These included not only commemorative patterns of special occasions but also creations of his favorite animal—the bald eagle.

Loris now joins in Heaven his beloved wife Nancy of 60 years as well as his parents Alva and Lela Clow Williams, his five brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his sister Elnora (Don) Cheatum; two children, Dennis (Dee) Williams and Lori (Wayne) Daoust; grandchildren, Heather (Stephen) Gill, Courtney (Matthew) Stefany, and Daniel Daoust; and four great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial graveside service which will be held at 1:00 P.M. on November 23, 2024, at Garden of Memories Cemetery 4207 East Lake Ave. Tampa Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in his name to Covenant Life Church 3511 W Bay to Bay Tampa, Florida 33629 or online at https://covenantlifetampa.churchcenter.com/giving .