Douglas Cordell Williams

Doug joined the United States Army at age 18, and served during war time. He met his future wife Joanne Best on a blind date while on leave from the Army. They were married in Saint Theresa's Catholic Church in Shreveport, La in November of 1947. In 1954, Doug and Joanne moved their young family to Longview, Texas and made it their home. They immediately joined St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and both became very active members. Doug was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2771, where he was a Past Grand Knight and Knight of the Year. Doug and Joanne also participated in the Couples Bible Study group where they formed great friendships and enjoyed fun and fellowship with these friends for many years.

He was in management with Red Ball Motor Freight and retired as District Manager of Red Arrow Freight Lines in 1991. Doug was active in the business community in Longview as a member of the Rotary and Traffic Clubs.

Doug was an avid golfer, played his first round in a Knights of Columbus charity golf tournament in 1956 and was bitten by the bug and played the rest of his life. He was a member of Oak Forest Country Club for many years and achieved golf immortality by scoring a hole-in-one on a par four at age 84!

Doug was the patriarch of a large family and loved having his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren around him, especially during the holidays. The family became so large that it was not unusual for there to be more than 50 family members in attendance at the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner. He enjoyed sitting on the front porch in his rocking chair and talking with family members and friends who dropped by for a visit.

Doug was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Joanne; his father Frank and mother Ovie of Bossier City, La; brothers, Melvin and Donald; sister, Peggy; son, Paul Williams and daughter Theresa Ann Walker. He is survived by his son Mike and wife Theresa of Keller, TX; son Pat and wife Dianna; daughter Mary Kay; son-in-law, Robert Walker, all of Longview and son Tim and wife Kim of Hallsville. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is planning a private Funeral Mass at St. Matthews Catholic Church on Monday October 23, 2023. Followed by a burial at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Heart to Heart Hospice and HavenCare Nursing and Rehab as well as his long term physicians for their care and compassion.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakeviewfh.com for the Williams family.