Thomas Earl Williams, Sr. 96, of Marianna died Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Jackson Hospital in Marianna.
Earl was born in Graceville, Florida into the close-knit Williams Clan of Galilee family. At 17 he joined the US Navy and served his tour on General MacArthur’s flagship, the USS Nashville, from 1944 to 1946. After his discharge, Earl was admitted to the then Florida State College for Women, University of Florida, Tallahassee Branch, which one year later was renamed Florida State University. There he became a charter member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and played on the men’s first basketball team. While at school, he majored in Social Welfare and met his forever love, Lois Boulware. He and Lois were married and had three children: Lynn, Tommy, and Lee Ann. Earl began working at Sherwin Williams fresh after graduation but later begin a lengthy career in banking. During this time, he attended Louisiana State University and received a degree in Banking and Finance. He also received certification in law enforcement from Chipola College which provided him the opportunity to work with the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary. His working life ended with his retirement from the State of Florida Department of Revenue.
One of Earl’s greatest joys was serving his church, The First United Methodist Church, as district treasurer for over 40 years. He was an active member of the Optimist Club and the American Legion and took great pride in being referred to as the “Catfish Chowder Man”. He was also a member of the Florida Highway Patrol. Throughout his life his greatest love and joy came from his family, his faith, and his beloved Seminoles.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Edna Williams, his siblings Ruth (Sam) Riley, Lonnie Jr (Gertrude) Williams and James (Dorothy) Williams and his beloved wife, Lois.
Earl is survived by his three children, Lynn (Frank) Baker of Marianna, FL; Tommy (Mary Kay) Williams of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Lee (Ken) Gerzina of Tallahassee, FL. His nine grandchildren, Christopher (Kelly) Baker, Meredith (Bliss) Moreau, Jonathon (Liz) Baker, Brad (Jamie) Williams, Clay (Pei Pei) Williams, Drew (Michelle) Williams, Ashlee (David) Hyland, Alison Gerzina and Nicole Gerzina. He was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren, Kara and Ethan Baker, Hunter Moreau, Rylon Harris and Jaxton Moreau, Eli Weeks and Jordan Baker, Makenzie and Julianne Williams, Caiden, Makayla, Isabella, and Noah Williams.
Funeral services will be at 1 PM Monday, July 10, 2023 at First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dr. Nathan Atwood officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with military honors. James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel will direct.
The family will receive friends Sunday, July 9th, from 2-4 PM at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Earl Williams, Sr., please visit our flower store.
Earl was born in Graceville, Florida into the close-knit Williams Clan of Galilee family. At 17 he joined the US Navy and served his tour on General MacArthur’s flagship, the USS Nashville, from 1944 to 1946. After his discharge, Earl was admitted to the then Florida State College for Women, University of Florida, Tallahassee Branch, which one year later was renamed Florida State University. There he became a charter member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and played on the men’s first basketball team. While at school, he majored in Social Welfare and met his forever love, Lois Boulware. He and Lois were married and had three children: Lynn, Tommy, and Lee Ann. Earl began working at Sherwin Williams fresh after graduation but later begin a lengthy career in banking. During this time, he attended Louisiana State University and received a degree in Banking and Finance. He also received certification in law enforcement from Chipola College which provided him the opportunity to work with the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary. His working life ended with his retirement from the State of Florida Department of Revenue.
One of Earl’s greatest joys was serving his church, The First United Methodist Church, as district treasurer for over 40 years. He was an active member of the Optimist Club and the American Legion and took great pride in being referred to as the “Catfish Chowder Man”. He was also a member of the Florida Highway Patrol. Throughout his life his greatest love and joy came from his family, his faith, and his beloved Seminoles.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Edna Williams, his siblings Ruth (Sam) Riley, Lonnie Jr (Gertrude) Williams and James (Dorothy) Williams and his beloved wife, Lois.
Earl is survived by his three children, Lynn (Frank) Baker of Marianna, FL; Tommy (Mary Kay) Williams of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Lee (Ken) Gerzina of Tallahassee, FL. His nine grandchildren, Christopher (Kelly) Baker, Meredith (Bliss) Moreau, Jonathon (Liz) Baker, Brad (Jamie) Williams, Clay (Pei Pei) Williams, Drew (Michelle) Williams, Ashlee (David) Hyland, Alison Gerzina and Nicole Gerzina. He was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren, Kara and Ethan Baker, Hunter Moreau, Rylon Harris and Jaxton Moreau, Eli Weeks and Jordan Baker, Makenzie and Julianne Williams, Caiden, Makayla, Isabella, and Noah Williams.
Funeral services will be at 1 PM Monday, July 10, 2023 at First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dr. Nathan Atwood officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with military honors. James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel will direct.
The family will receive friends Sunday, July 9th, from 2-4 PM at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel.
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