Thomas Sewell Williams

Thomas Sewell “Si” Williams entered his heavenly home on January 8, 2026. He was dearly loved by his wife, 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Sewell was born on October 5, 1932 in Grand Bay Alabama to the late Naomi Berthaut and Thomas Williams. He was a proud graduate of Auburn University where he received a B.S. in Industrial Management, and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

He served as a U.S. Army Corporal during the Korean War. After service, he moved to New Orleans, where he served as President of Algiers Iron Works & Dry Dock Co. for 30 years. Sewell rebuilt the company through innovations, becoming one of the most efficient in the Marine Industry.

In New Orleans, he met Patty Caylor, a fellow Auburn graduate, who became the love of his life. They married in 1956 and lived in Algiers before moving to Belle Chasse, where they raised five children. Si and Patty embraced the New Orleans lifestyle, where he was a member of Bacchus and Alla carnival krewes, serving multiple terms as president of Alla. They enjoyed many evenings of dinner and dancing at area restaurant venues and attended countless art, theater, opera, and symphony events.

Si was the past owner and principal surveyor of the Arthur H. Terry Marine Surveying Co., specializing in yachts and fishing vessels. Sewell was a member and past president of the Marine Club of New Orleans and director of the New Orleans Traffic and Transportation Association. He was a member of numerous marine associations, including the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers and the National Association of Marine Surveyors.

Si enjoyed leading several trips to the Bahamas as a sponsor of the Sea Explorer ship 770. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America for outstanding service. Si was a lifelong lover of all things nautical and waterborne. Among the boats he owned were the "War Eagle" and, later, a 57-foot Biloxi Lugger Yacht, which he named the "Patty Jean" after the love of his life, his wife, Patty. He was an avid duck hunter, fisherman, and loved traveling in the U.S., China, France, England, and the Caribbean.

Sewell was predeceased by his wife, Patty Jean, and his siblings, Lemoine Brummitt, Wincen Williams, and Edgar Williams. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Peggy Caylor, and his children: Jeanne (John) Lindsey, Linda (Timothy) Harvey, Kathy (Fuling) Chiang, Damon Williams, and Carol Williams. Grandchildren are: Stacia (Carden) Price, Eric (Lizbeth) Lindsey, Katherine (Tyer) Kemp, Laura (Joerg) Straub, John (Natália) Harvey, Joseph (Jill) Harvey, Sean (Melissa) Chiang, Christine (Shin) Doi, and Stephen Landry. Great-grandchildren are: Hanna, Mia, and Lena Straub, Shinobu and Kunitsugu Doi, Brendan Chiang, Rose Lindsey, Lucy, and Rosie Harvey. Special extended-family: Lucy (Barry) Simon.

The family would like to express special thanks to caregivers Joanne Riley and Todd Ferniz. Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expressway, in Harvey, LA. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow immediately at Westlawn Memorial Park, 1225 Whitney Ave., in Gretna, LA.

Friends and family may offer condolences at mothefuneral.com.