Walter Bryan Williams

Walter Bryan Williams, age 94, passed away on Sunday October 9th, 2022.  Born in Columbia County, Florida on March 30th, 1928, Bryan, as he was known by friends and family, was the thirteenth of the fifteen children of Sidney Williams and Eva Sauls.

Growing up on a farm, Bryan had fond memories of his childhood there and would tell stories about it up until he passed.  Though he never finished high school, Bryan loved learning.  As a young man he entered the Naval Reserves where he served on a submarine.

Upon leaving the service, Bryan attended seminary training and began preaching as a lay minister, during which time he married Betty Bacon and had two daughters, Judith and Sandra.  After four years Bryan and Betty divorced and Bryan married Lavola Story.  They had two sons, Walter and Randell, before Lavola died suddenly after an injury.  Shortly thereafter, Bryan met and married Clara Bernice Stagner, the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life.

Truly a pioneering man, when Bryan left Florida and made his way to Texas, he learned how to build and repair electric motors.  That was the start of his success, building up his business, Williams Electric Works, Inc. literally from the ground up.  He loved his work and his family dearly and provided a good life for his beloved wife for more than sixty years.  He was very fond of gardening and of Western films and cowboys, a love you could easily see as he watered his orange trees wearing one of his many signature cowboy hats.

Bryan is survived by his wife Clara and step-son Roger Drushel, his son Walter, and his daughters Judy and Sandi as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brothers Sidney and Harold and sister Doris as well as his many nieces and nephews.  Bryan has joined his youngest son, Randell, in heaven.  He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.