Thomas Ryland "TR" Williams

Thomas Ryland "TR" Williams passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on June 20, 1939, to the late Tom and Mary Williams.

Thomas graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1957. Soon after he graduated high school, Thomas enlisted in and served for 30 years in the United States Navy. After boot camp in San Diego, he served as a submariner during the cold war with Russia. Then he won a scholarship to the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. Next, he became a Naval Aviator flying a Corsair A7, one seated bomber. Miraculously he survived two tours of duty in Vietnam. For the rest of his time in the Navy, he alternated every 5 years between shore duty and sea duty. His favorite assignment was at Naval Air Station, China Lake, CA in the Mojave Desert. There he could fly in between desk job tasks. Once he retired from the Navy, he worked for the next 10 years for Electronic Warfare Associates (EWA). EWA did testing and evaluation for the bombs that were created at the Naval Air Station is China Lake. In the middle of all this, he met and married one of his admirers, Carol Ann Clawson, on February 22, 1972. He and she had 53 years together until Thomas succumbed to his Parkinson's Disease.

While in the military, he earned many awards, they included: Air Medal (18 Strike Flight Awards), Navy Commendation (3 Awards with combat device), Good Conduct Medal (2 Awards), Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (W/3 Bronze Stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Services Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Gallantry Cross Color W/Star, Navy Battle "E" Ribbon and a Navy Unit Citation.

As he loved the outdoors, you could usually find him in the woods or kayaking. He loved leading groups of hikers through the woods and kayakers in the North Carolina rivers and streams. He was also a member of the local Sierra Club and was the president of the Child Abuse Prevention Counsel in California.

In addition to his wife, Carol, he is also survived by his daughter Christy Welborn and her husband, Kelly. Thomas is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryland Trull (Jenna), Lee Trull (Lillie), and Mary Catherine Trull, Kristen Letchworth (Spencer), Travis Welborn (Alicia) and Katie Strickland (Brooks). Also left behind to cherish Thomas' memory are his great grandchildren, Luke and Lainie Trull, Lyza Trull and Levi Taylor, Langley, Olivia and Bryce Letchworth, Ella and John Henry Welborn, and Lacey, Eliza, and Ember Strickland, his brothers Bill Williams (Diane), Robert Williams (Kathy), and many nieces and nephews.

Thomas was also preceded in death by his brother, Reverand John Williams and his sister, Francis Williams.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, on February 21, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 131 Oakmont Dr., Greenville NC, 27858.

He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and loved him.