Lt. Col. Donald Guy Williams

Lt. Col. Donald Guy Williams
Marine Corps Veteran
Lt. Col. Donald Guy Williams died April 14, 2023, at the age of 95, from a combination of viral and bacterial infections.
He died peacefully at Community Hospice Bailey Family Center in St. Augustine, Florida, where he was surrounded by his daughter, Robin Williams Adams; stepdaughter and home caregiver Whitney Poe, stepdaughter Courtney Cox (James) and son-in-law Joe Adams.
He was predeceased by his parents, Major William L. Williams and Edith Mary Hale; his wife, Linda Martin Brannigan; his brother, William L. "Lew" Williams Jr.; his sister, Edith Williams Ink; and his ex-wife, Patricia Williams.
Guy – known affectionately as Dad and Poppa – was born in San Francisco on Dec. 11, 1927. His father, a career officer in the United States Marine Corps, was stationed there.
He graduated in 1945 from Grainger High School in Kinston, N.C., and by 1946 embarked upon his own Marine Corps career. He was in a radio operator's course at Camp Pendleton, California; and became a corporal in 1947.
In 1953, he graduated from the University of Florida, married his first wife and accepted appointment to second lieutenant. His tours of duty included Hawaii, Camp LeJeune (North Carolina), Naples (Italy), Vietnam, Okinawa, Kansas City, MO., and Virginia.
He retired as a lieutenant colonel in October 1978 and moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He was elected twice in the 1980s to the New Smyrna Beach City Commission.
During his successful military career, he was happy about achieving two personal goals:
Retiring one rank above his father. Beating his father's marksmanship record.
He was proud of his military service, loved playing golf and pool, and had an excellent sense of humor, expressed in dry quips and telling long jokes.
After his first marriage to Patricia ended in divorce in 1991, he married Linda, with whom he resumed the traveling life. They lived in different states when she worked for the March of Dimes before settling on Florida for their retirement.
They traveled extensively overseas, including living a year in Ireland with a grandson, Brandon Brannigan, whom they raised. Guy's last personal life goal, seeing Brandon reach adulthood, was achieved in December 2022.
He was grateful for his varied and extensive families.
In addition to family mentioned earlier, he is survived by brother-in-law Stan Ink; stepsons Jim Brannigan and Brian Brannigan; four nieces: Sherry Puryear, Carol Thomas (Jody), Kathy Crowe (Randy) and Karen Shuttleworth; as well as seven nephews: Jim Ink (Leah), Ken Williams (Debbie); Ben Williams (Deb), Art Williams, Doug Williams (Trina), William Edward Williams and Ted Wright (Jessica).
He also is survived by 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled 11 a.m. May 13 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lakeland. He will be buried with military honors May 17 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.
The family thanks Flagler Hospital and the hospice for skilled, compassionate care given him in his final week.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.