Frederick Peter Williams

Frederick Peter Williams, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 30, 2024, at home in Houston, Texas. Born on December 3, 1931, in London, England, Peter lived a full and blessed life. He was a man of simple joys who leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and devotion that will continue to inspire all those who knew him.
Peter's life was a rich tapestry woven with the threads of unique experiences. He was often the most interesting person at any gathering. Peter was just a young boy of 9 when the Germans began bombing London during World War II and had many interesting experiences as a result. His small town of Tilbury was one of the hardest hit areas in all of England. As a 13-year-old boy, he stood with the crowd in front of Buckingham Palace when King George VI and his family along with Winston Churchill walked out onto the balcony to celebrate VE Day on May 8, 1945. As a young man, he embarked on a career as a performer, singing and obtaining small roles in films using the name Freddy Peters. After emigrating to the United States in 1955, and starting a family, Peter settled in New Diana. He worked at Lone Star Steel where he developed many lifelong friendships. It was at Lone Star Steel that Peter was frequently teased about his interesting lunch choices that were referred to by many as "road kill". After 38 years of dedicated service Peter retired, leaving time to pursue his other hobbies and enjoy the final third of his life.
He was a man who could find common ground with anyone, whether it was discussing the intricate details of World War II history, sharing tips on vegetable gardening, or quoting lines from poems and his favorite pieces of British literature. He had a beautiful singing voice and was sought after by many to perform at church and other special events. An avid Bridge player, Peter played for many years at Green Street Recreation Center in Longview and later with "the girls" in Houston. He was a fervent Dallas Cowboys fan in both good times and bad. He was also committed to living a healthy lifestyle - he walked 6 days a week and until recently did 112 pushups every morning. Many residents in the Stamps Community in Upshur County remember his dedicated walking along the roads there.
Family was the cornerstone of Peter's life. Though his beloved wife, Bette, predeceased him, he remained devoted to her until his death. He was a guiding star, great friend, and mentor to his children, Bette Waugh, Steven Gray, William Williams, and Karen Collier along with their spouses, children and grandchildren. Each of them will deeply miss his love, wisdom, warmth, encouragement, and gentle spirit.
Peter was a man of faith and enjoyed his walk with God. He attended Sand Hill Baptist Church near Gilmer for many years where he served as a deacon. Later he attended First Baptist Church Longview. After moving to Houston, he joined Tallowood Baptist Church and was an enthusiastic member of the Joshua class.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Peter's caregiver in Houston, Aleene Walker. Her kindness, care, friendship and unwavering support brought comfort and dignity to his final 4 years. She was the bright spot of each day, and her compassion and dedication made a profound difference in his life. We are forever grateful for the love and care she provided.
A celebration of Peter's life will be held on Friday October 11th at 10:00 am at Welch Funeral Home in Longview with a service led by his great nephew, Pastor Jimmy Charles Crawford. A visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, October 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm also at Welch Funeral Home.