Thursday, June 19, 2008

Billy Williams, Original Blue Ghost 1967-68

Obituaries

Billy Gene Williams
(March 24, 1933 - June 12, 2008)

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Billy Gene Williams

U.S. Veteran A memorial service honoring the life of Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Billy Gene Williams will be held at 10:30 AM on June 28, 2008 at Park Hill Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The service will be conducted by Reverend Erby Burgess assisted by Reverand Free Clower.

Billy passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and son at the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home on June 12, 2008 after a lengthy illness. Born March 24, 1933 near Trumann, Arkansas, he attended Ouachita Baptist University where he met his wife, Norma Stephens Williams. At Ouachita, he played football, basketball and tennis. After graduation in 1955, he began a distinguished career in the United States Army.

During his 23 years of active duty, he served one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. As a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, he was recognized for heroism under enemy fire and awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart. After retirement from the Army, he taught part-time in the Business Departments of Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University both located in Arkadelphia, AR. In addition to spending time with his family, “Daddy Bill” (as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren) enjoyed tennis, bridge, reading, officiating high school football and travel.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia, his father, Sherman, his mother, Jewell, and two brothers, Robert and David.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Norma Stephens Williams, his son, Dr. Michael R. Williams and wife Beth, of Shreveport, his daughter, Dr. Karen P. Bullington and husband Kirk, of Woodstock, GA, grandchildren, Kaitlin, Matthew and Sean Williams, Ashley, Emily and Wesley Bullington, his sisters, Joy Marie Hughes, Linda Franks, Diane Tschabold, Kathy Younts and Becky Croom, his brothers, Charles Croom, Wayne Croom and Tim Croom.

The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent and compassionate care provided by Dr. Roy Fleniken, medical director of the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home. The family also wishes to thank the following physicians for their excellent care: Dr. Mark Mainous, Dr. Michael Rainer, Dr. Michael Sewell, Dr. Sanjeevi Tivakaran and Dr. Michael Walton as well as the excellent nursing and ancillary care provided at Willis-Knighton Bossier, the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, and Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to the Bullington-Williams Pre-Med Scholarship Fund at Ouachita Baptist University (www.obu.edu) or Park Hill Baptist Church, 3333 Hollywood Road, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.

Arrangements are by Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guest book and view the video tribute.

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