Winston Lovell Williams, 86, of Hokes Bluff, AL passed away on June 23, 2016. His funeral will be at 4 P.M. on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 12th Street Baptist Church in Rainbow City. The family will receive friends at the church 2 P.M. until time of funeral.

He was a loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He was born in Randolph County, AL on February 12, 1930 and was the oldest son of Velma and Garfield Williams. Winston graduated from Woodland High School in 1948 and went on to receive his BA degree in Chemistry from Jacksonville State University in 1951 and earned his Masters degree from Vanderbilt University- Peabody Division in 1968.

While attending Jacksonville State University, Winston was a member of Army ROTC and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Field Artillery. Upon completion of the Basic Course at Fort Still he was assigned to the 47th Division at Fort Rucker and served in the Korean War from 1952-1953 and received the Bronze star and other campaign medals for his service. Winston returned to Fort Rucker as a Battery Commander and in 1954 returned to civilian life. He stayed in the Army Reserves until he retired after 26 years as Lieutenant Colonel in 1986.

Winston first started his work career as a Science & Mathematics teacher at Oxford High School. In 1962 he moved to Goodyear Tire in Gadsden, AL where he started in the Development Division and later served in rolls as a Production Supervisor, Training Manager and finally Manager for Statistical Process Control for Production Processes.

After retirement, Winston focused his time on giving back to his community at both the local and state level and working to improve the lives of the many people he touched. He was a member of the 12th Street Baptist Church in Rainbow City, AL where he served in numerous including as a Deacon, Administrative Board member, Sunday School teacher and President of the Seniors Club; served as the AARP Chapter President and District Coordinator for Community operations helping organize Chapters across the state of Alabama; and starting in 2008 he Chaired the East Alabama Area Agency delegation for the Alabama Silver Haired Legislature.

One of Winston real passions was giving back to the military as a volunteer. In 2008 he joined the organization ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves) and in 2009 was appointed as the Ombudsman Director for the State of Alabama where he helped mediate conflicts between service members and employers. For this work Winston was named by the Military Officers Association of America as the Ombudsman of the Year for the United States in 2012 and for his service was awarded a Commendation by the Governor of Alabama, the Honorable Robert Bentley.

More importantly than his love of country, Winston loved his family, his friends, and his garden.
He is preceded in death by wife Ruth (Walls), parents, and brother Ray Williams of Pinson, AL. He is survived by his wife Lou Welch Williams, four children - Marcee Minogue (Frank) of Gadsden, AL, Phil Williams and daughter-in-law Kim of San Carlos, CA, Meleah Williams of Hokes Bluff, AL and Chris Williams of Hokes Bluff, AL.

He is also survived by grandchildren Kyle, Emily, and Natalie Williams of San Carlos, CA, Ashley Williams of Hokes Bluff, Michelle Minogue of Gadsden, and great grandson Joey Dunlap. Stepchildren Pat Blount (John) and Jane Ponder (Donny), step grandchildren Krystle McMullen (Greg), Cody Ponder, Jeremy and Amy Blount and step great grandson Liam.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to The Big Oak Ranch.