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Lavelle Williams
1928-2015
Lavelle Williams, 86, went to be with the Lord on September 28, 2015. A native of North Louisiana, he had resided in Milton, Florida, for the past sixty years.
Williams was born in Lillie, Louisiana, on December 14, 1928, the younger of two sons born to Ernie and Minnie Williams. He was reared in a God-fearing home by parents who loved Southern Gospel music and taught their son to love it as well. As a child, Lavelle often traveled with his parents to "singing schools" as they taught shaped-note singing in the churches of North Louisiana and Southern Arkansas. Lavelle accepted Christ when he was thirteen.
World War II raged as he attended high school, where he lettered in baseball. He is a 1946 graduate of Junction City High School in Junction City, Arkansas. After high school, he attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana.
In 1951 he was drafted into the U. S. Army and is a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He attended basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and was then stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for the remainder of his enlistment.
After being honorably discharged from the military in 1952, Williams married Dean Shelton of Norphlet, Arkansas, and they made their home in Junction City where he was employed by Lion Oil Chemical in nearby El Dorado, Arkansas.
In December of 1955 they moved to Milton where he took a job at the new chemical plant that was being built in the Pea Ridge area—today, called Air Products. The young couple had a toddler and an infant son by this time and a third son would be added to the family a year after moving to Florida.
Within weeks of arriving in Milton, the young family visited a nearby church, joined that congregation, and Williams became an active member of Ferris Hill Baptist Church for the rest of his life. He served as an ordained deacon, sang bass in the choir, coached the church's boys' baseball teams and ladies' softball teams, served as a trustee, and on many committees. Williams was the church treasurer for many years, keeping meticulous records.
He and his wife reared three talented athletes of outstanding character that were standouts at Milton High School during the Seventies. He continued to follow their games through college, professional softball, and also as one briefly played professional baseball.
In 1986 he retired from Air Products after thirty-one years. Early mornings found him fishing on Blackwater River. By mid-morning he headed home with his catch and put the golf cart on the hitch. Younger men had trouble keeping up with his retirement routine. He continued to be faithful to the Lord's work after retirement.
Ever the supportive dad, his sons knew what an asset they had after his retirement and called on him to be the scorekeeper/advisor for Pace High softball where two of his sons and one daughter-in-law coached. The Pace community saw how fortunate Milton had been to have this gentleman of quality to call its own.
He is often praised as having been a man of great character by the younger men whom he coached during the Sixties and Seventies. As he helped them hone their ball playing skills, he was always the example of integrity, good sportsmanship, and Christian character. Any task on which he worked, was done to perfection.
As his health began to fail, his turf, baseball diamond, grid iron, golf courses, and Southern Gospel music came to him via the television. His family and friends enjoyed visiting with him often in his home.
Williams is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Dean Shelton Williams. Three sons: Curtis (Susan) Williams, Milton, Florida; Steve (Sherry) Williams, Gray, Georgia; and Daryl (Tamera) Williams, Pace, Florida. Six grandchildren: Heidi Williams, Rhett Williams, Salina (Jason) Tunnell, Curtis (Stephanie) Williams, Jr., Lauren Williams, and Shelton Williams. Nine great-grandchildren: Dalton Porter, Annalise Williams, Willow Williams, River Williams, Emma Tunnell, Eli Tunnell, Emry Williams, Curtis Williams, III, and Zayde Williams. Three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Williams, Monroe, Louisiana, Annie Harvison, Clarksville, Arkansas, and Jean Stringfellow (Gene), Hampton, Arkansas. A Brother-in-law: Douglas (Betty) Shelton, Alma, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Minnie Williams; father- and mother-in-law, Creighton and Eva (Till) Shelton; one brother, E. W. Williams; one brother- and sister-in-law, James and Virginia Gandy.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Dennis Mayeaux for his attentive, loving care over the years and also the wonderful caregivers at Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Visitation will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held at the church at 4:00 p.m. following the visitation with Dr. Brian Nall officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the building fund of Ferris Hill Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
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1 Entry
Lavelle Williams was a true leader and taught many young men and women sports were important and had rules which must be followed.
I recall one game when Lavelle was the 3rd base coach when his youngest son, Always Hard Charging Daryl ran by 3rd base and scored a run. After the noise calmed down; I heard Lavelle call the umpire (Ray Cranford) and said Ump, that man is OUT, he failed to touch the bag here at 3rd base!
I had the privilege of playing 1st base on the Ferris Hill men's softball team when Lavelle was the shortstop. I was apprehensive when either Lavelle or Charlie Livingston (3rd baseman) picked up an infield hit. These guys had the same style of holding the ball for a few seconds to insure their fingers had the correct grip; then they would fire a Bob Feller ball to me. My option quickly became catch the curve ball and hope my glove stayed on, or have my head blown across highway 90. What a great athlete Lavelle was.
Robert Taylor
October 2, 2015
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