George W. Williams, 81, of Holiday, Florida, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, after a long illness.  He was born in Laurel County, Kentucky, on October 27, 1941, and grew up there, the son of the late Rev. Morgan Williams and his wife, Nancy Elizabeth Bowles.

On March 4, 1961, he was married to Barbara Gilliam, also from Laurel County.  She survives, along with their daughter, Tammy Williams Blackburn, and husband, Kevin, of Big Pine, Florida, and one granddaughter, Jessica Blackburn, and fiancé Adam Palermo, of Sarasota, Florida.  He also leaves two sisters, Zula Barnard, Corbin, Kentucky, and Jan Sparkman (Tim) of London, Kentucky, plus a host of nieces and nephews and many friends to mourn his passing.

In October of 1961, George enlisted in the United States Army.  He was approved to attend Officer’s Candidate school and in September of 1964 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutentant.  At the time of his honorable discharge from the Army in 1971, he had risen to the rank of Captain.  George served in various locations, including stateside, Panama, Germany, and two terms in Vietnam. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation during his years in the service.

When his military career ended, he returned to the classroom and earned a degree as a registered nurse.  From that time until his retirement, he practiced nursing in the area of Virginia where he and his family lived for many years. George and Barbara returned to Laurel County, Kentucky, for a brief period after his retirement before moving to their present home in Florida in 2019.

Besides his parents, George was preceded in death by seven sisters and their spouses:  Pearl Parsley (George B.), Lella Beckner (Walton), Etsye Simmons (Ray), Flora Kidd (Henry), Bertie Overbey (Kenneth), Zuma Barnard (John), and Lois Cloyd (Larry), as well as his brother, Thomas Denver Williams (Aileen) and three brothers who died as infants.

Memorial services for George W. Williams will be held in Florida at a later date.