Master Sergeant William Thomas "Tom" Weems

Master Sergeant (Ret.) William Thomas "Tom" Weems, age 84, of Jacksonville, Alabama, entered into eternal rest on November 28, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home.
Tom was born on October 23, 1941, in Lyerly, Georgia. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 22 years, beginning in 1959, and retiring in 1981. During this time, he served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars as well as being stationed in Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Japan, Missouri, and New Mexico, before settling in Alabama. After retiring from active service, he served his country through civil service with the Army for 22 additional years in Special Operations, where he specialized in anti-terrorism and evasive driving at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He also conducted driving security training for federal agencies and security organizations at Bill Scott Raceway in Summitt Point, Virginia. While serving in this capacity he had the honor of training dignitaries, such as General Colin Powell, and the Secret Service driving teams for former President George Bush Sr., General Norman Schwarzkopf, Walter Mondale, and many others. While serving his country, he earned numerous military honors and medals and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University.
Above all, Tom, affectionately called "Papa" by his grandchildren, cherished time with family. He was married to the love of his life, Liz, for 58 years, before she passed away in 2018. They were members of Jacksonville United Methodist Church. Along with spending time with his family, Tom loved to hunt, fish, spend time with his Basset Hound, Tuck, and watch westerns and Alabama football, Roll Tide!
Tom is survived by his two daughters, Penny Jackson (Marty) and Tammy Sallee, who was his primary caregiver for several years preceding his death; his grandchildren, Dr. McKinley Waugh (TK), 2nd Lt. Hunter Sallee, and Ashley Whipple (Jeremy); great-grandchildren, Aden Jackson and Alice Whipple, a great-grandchild to be, Landon Waugh, who is due in January 2026, sister, Sue Mann; brother, John Weems (Ann); and several nieces and nephews. Tom is also preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Gladys Weems; brother, Jack; and grandchild, Josh Jackson.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at K.L. Brown Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Alabama. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Green Hills Memory Gardens in Summerville, Georgia.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.klbrownfuneralhome.com.
K.L. Brown Funeral Home and Crematory
322 Nisbet Street NW
Jacksonville, AL 36265
(256) 435-7042