Dean Williams

Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Dothan First Assembly of God with Pastor Murray D. Kelley officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Byrd Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 2-4 Sunday afternoon.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Dean’s grandson, Jeremiah Whaley’s donation fund at Wells Fargo Bank for the fight against “Fanconi’s Anemia”.

Dean was born August 11, 1952 in Marianna, FL to U.S. Army soldier, Ryals Williams, Jr. and wife, Guiola Gilbert Williams. He married the love of his life 28 years ago, after dating and going their separate ways, they found they were destined to be together. Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army where he retired at E-7 rank after 20 years of service. He served and fought for his country in Germany, South America (Panama Canal), 2 tours in Korea, and numerous stateside assignments. He obtained Drill Sergeant status and also trained Drill Sergeants at Ft. Jackson, SC and served a 5 year assignment as ROTC Instructor at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.

Dean and his family settled in Dothan, AL where he was employed as an Engineer Tech with the State of Alabama Department of Transportation as his second retirement. He was a member of Dothan First Assembly of God where he had served as Armour Bearer, Head Usher, Board Member and Christian Education Teacher.

He loved, protected and unselfishly provided for his family and was known for having a heart of giving and hospitality. Dean had a great respect for the outdoors to include fishing and hunting with close friends. His fondest memories though were sitting and talking at the table in his Mother’s kitchen, and seeing her face at the airport as she was there to pick him up. Also, the sweetest memories of riding rides and eating great foods at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO with his children, making snow angels, faithfully supporting school activities, accomplishments, piano recitals, and Honor Star Crownings, but one of his greatest honors was providing dream weddings for his beautiful daughters, Jennifer Renae and Jamie Lyn.

Dean was a “Man of God,” a “Man of Honor,” a “Man of Faith” and a “Man of Faithfulness.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Ryals Williams, Jr.; grandparents, Noah Ryals and Rosa Williams and Otto and Lucille Gilbert; and aunt, Montreal Woodward (Uncle Dick).

Survivors include his mother, Guiola Williams; wife, Sara C. Williams; 2 daughters, Jennifer Renae Whaley (Jeremy) of Decatur and Jamie Lyn Lemon of Dothan; 3 grandchildren, Jeremiah Whaley and Jenna Whaley, both of Decatur and Giovanah Lemon of Dothan; sister, Ruby Klintworth of Daleville; brother, Christopher Williams of Ozark; aunts, Dorothy Gay (Al) of Lake City, FL, Linda Hodges (Bill) and Betty Jo Nicholas, all of Marianna, FL; uncle, Donald Williams (Hallie) of Jacksonville, FL; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.