Faye Bradford Williams

Faye Bradford Williams, age 83, of Gadsden, AL, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:30 to 1:30 pm at Collier-Butler Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Rainbow Memorial Park at 2:00 pm.

Mrs. Williams was a graduate of Emma Samson High School and crowned Miss Emma Samson during her senior year. She had an exceptional work ethic beginning work at age 16 at the Pitman Theatre and Bowman Transportation. She began working at GMAC at the age of 17 in the credit/collections department and retired with 35 years of service. She went on to work the rest of her life for the Gadsden City School system serving as the secretary at Donehoo Elementary for 27 years and then the remainder of her career at the Annex Board of Education.

She loved gospel music, especially Gold City and The Mark Trammell Quartet, and spent many nights traveling to gospel events. Mrs. Williams enjoyed traveling with friends, using her season passes to the Fox Theatre and the Oxford Performing Arts Center, being a member of the Red Elephant Club as well as attending Alabama football games. Her family was blessed by her infinite loyalty and support. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity. She had an infectious laugh, loved the beach, keeping a meticulous yard, and watching the Hallmark channel in her blue housecoat. Throughout her life, she had many strong and lasting friendships, and she herself was a loyal, selfless friend.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her daughters, Kendall Wilmore (Michael Long) and Kelly (James) Ray; grandchildren, Kristian Bradley Wilmore (Ally Pruitt), Karly Rae Wilmore, Olivia James Ray, Elle Williams Ray, and Everly Williams Ray, great-grandson, Weston Hayes Wilmore and sister Jean Narrell. She also had many special nieces and nephews, and god-daughter, Julie Farrow.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Billy Ray “Bulldog” Williams, who passed away in 2002, sister, Virginia Mizell, and brother, Charles Bradford.

Pallbearers will be Kristian Wilmore, Ralph Farrow, Michael Long, Chris Thompson, Brandon Snyder, Tim Staton, Scott McCullars and Chris Haney. Honorary pallbearers are James Ray and Bill Chance.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Dr. Layla Wrenn and her favorite doctor and special family friend, Dr. Alberto Echeverri.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an organization very near to Mrs. Williams’ heart, St. Jude’s Children’s Research at stjude.org.