May 28, 2013

Brick and stone mason was Vietnam War veteran

Ted Williams, 71, of Eighty Four, died Saturday, May 25, 2013, in the emergency department of Washington Hospital.

He was born and raised in Georgia and moved to the Eighty Four area in 1977 and had resided there since.

Mr. Williams was born May 24, 1942, in Good Hope, Ga., a son of the late Zelmer and Eliza Mae Goods Williams.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam War serving as a combat engineer. For his service, he received a Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

For the last 14 years, he attended Christian Assembly of God in Bentleyville, where he was very proud to have served on the deacon board and also was the custodian.

For 40 years, he was very proud to be a brick and stone mason, helping to build many homes throughout the area. In his later years, he became a certified nurse’s assistant and also worked part time at Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel.

Mr. Williams was always willing to lend a helping hand and everyone always referred to him as a “nice” guy. He was liked by all kids who came into his life, especially nieces, nephews, church and neighborhood kids.

He was a great storyteller, telling many stories about his childhood in the South. He enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Mr. Williams will be sadly missed by his dog, Buddy.

On October 8, 1979, he married Debra Doyle, who survives. They celebrated 35 years together.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Barry Thomas of Pittsburgh and Tyrone Brown of Monroe, Ga.; a daughter, Liza Hickman (John) of Atlanta, Ga.; three grandchildren, Barry, Destiny and Trae; four sisters, Linda Towler, Jeanette Starks (Larry) and Annette Barnes (Charles), all of Bethlehem, Ga., and Peggy Dupree (Tommy) of Albany, Ga.; a brother, Charlie Williams (Patricia) of Monroe; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are two brothers, Willie “Bill” and Sam Williams, and two sisters, Bessie Williams Garrett and Mary Alice Johnson.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, in Christian Assembly of God, 100 Meadow Drive, Bentleyville, with the Rev. Paul Peternel officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christian Assembly of God, 100 Meadow Drive, Bentleyville, PA 15314. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.