Henry "Hank" Williams

Henry "Hank" Williams Jr was born on June 26th 1924 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Henry Williams Sr. and Gertrude King Williams and was the oldest of four children. He and his family later moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where he and his siblings, were raised. In 1942 at the age of 18 Henry enlisted into the army and took part in the invasion of Normandy Beach during World War II against the Nazis, and was honorably discharged in 1945. After his military service Henry moved to Los Angeles California, where he met Rose Silva, and from
that relationship they welcomed Gaile Yvonne Tumlin, and Michael Millard Silva. Subsequent to that relationship, he met Doris Edna Yearling and from that relationship, they welcomed Barbara Ann Hughes. Henry, in his new home city of Los Angeles began expressing his love for music by joining a jazz, blues band as a drummer, and traveled around the country and played in the presence of people like B.B. King, Fats Domino, Tina Turner, and Ray Charles. Henry until his passing always maintained that BB King owed him 20 bucks. Henry decided to end his music career in 1955. He then became an ambulance driver and advanced to an ambulance dispatcher at USC Medical Center where he spent the next 35 years until his retirement in 1990. During this time Henry discovered a new love, his love for fast cars and decided to become a race car driver racing formula B open wheel cars. Henry further expanded his love for fast cars in 1964 by purchasing a Shelby Cobra which became one of his life's pride and joy. Henry also developed a close relationship with the cars creator Carol Shelby. They remained close friends until Shelby's passing. He enjoyed showcasing his Shelby Cobra at countless car shows where he was often the guest of honor and awarded numerous trophies, including best of show and in his later years being the only original owners of a Shelby Cobra. In 1972 during a brief period of employment at Martin Luther King Hospital, Henry met Helen Jean Dizadare and they dated for three years before getting married on September 8th 1975 in which he became a loving stepfather to Pamela Danielle Gordon. On October 10, 1976 Henry and Helen welcomed their son Henry Jarvis Williams into the world and on July 15, 1979 they welcomed their daughter Dominique Enjoli Williams. Henry during his marriage was very handy around the house often doing various repairs and maintenance on a level of a professional handyman. He also showcased his skills as a mechanic by taking up the task of restoring Pamela's first car and also replacing the engine in Jarvis's first car. He later built his first trailer in his garage that he used to transport his Shelby Cobra to numerous car shows. In 1983 tragedy struck Henry's life when sometime in April of that year his first born son Michael Millard Silva passed away. This moment in time weighed heavy on Henry, but eventually after some time Henry managed to pick up the pieces and continue to provide for, and maintain the well-balanced and loving home that he and Helen created. Unfortunately, Henry and Helen grew apart and in 1995 they divorced. Henry later moved to Fontana California, where he lived and enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren, and where he passed away on December 5, 2023. Henry was survived by his children Gail Yvonne Tumlin Camacho, Barbara Ann Hughes, Pamela Danielle Gordon, Henry Jarvis Williams, Dominique Enjoli Williams and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Henry was proceeded in death by Henry Williams, Senior, his father, Gertrude King Williams, his mother, sisters Chloe Williams, Zelma, and his brother Johnny Williams, and his son Michael Millard, Silva.
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