Cornell "Willie" Williams

1932 - 2012

Cornell (Willie) Williams was born in Elmore County, Millbrook, Ala., a twin brother to the family of the late Miles and Mary Terry Williams, on Dec. 25, 1932.
Cornell departed this life March 21, 2012. His brothers all precede him in death: Aaron, James, Thomas (twin), John, George, Tommie, Payton and Samuel. He was known to the family as Sonny Boy.
He finished his education at Sand Town High School in Millbrook. Cornell worked different jobs in the area, including L&N Railroad for a short time, then he started to travel with his father-in-law out of state, but there was one place he liked, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. So in the early 60s he moved there, making this his home.
Cornell worked with the same companies and even had his own business dealing with concrete, and when the business dropped he started working part-time at Okaloosa Walton Community College as a custodian at night. In the early 70s, he met and married Louise Jackson Williams, who preceded him in death. Their lives were a long, loving relationship together. In 1977, he took the job full-time at Okaloosa-Walton Community College and later become one of the head men in charge of the department until 2002, when he retired.
He was loved by many and called "Willie" or "Uncle Willie" as he did his job. He would always say that he was "Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed" or "Supperdupa" when asked how he was doing.
Even as his health began to fail he still had that spirit. He loved nice cars, especially with nickel pipes on each side and Mag wheels. He also could cook, and later turned out to be a good pound cake baker.
He leaves behind memories to be cherished by six daughters, Barbara Ann (Robert) Mitchell of Wetumpka, Ala., Beverly Dean Jackson of Brownstown, Mich., Candie Campbell of Shalimar, Fla., Judy (Bernard) Goldsmith of Detroit, Patricia Bell of Jacksonville, Fla., and Brenda Cobb of Fort Myers, Fla.; one son, Lucius Darnell (Pamela) Williams of Wetumpka; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Thomas of Montgomery, Ala., and Martha Witt or New Jersey; one brother-in-law, James (Leary) Warren of Florence, Ala.; six sisters-in-law; Margaret Williams of Millbrook, a very dear friend as well as a sister-in-law, whom he called all the time until his health failed; one aunt, Gladys Jones of Fort Walton Beach; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
To every friend anyone could have near or far, thanks for being there. Thanks to all the doctors, facilities and home health care providers and Regency Hospice care given to Mr. Williams during his illness.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 26, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Williams will be taken to Hillside Mortuary, 3274 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com