Oct. 10, 1930 – Oct. 3, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for Thomas Alfred Williams, 85, affectionately known as “Duck,”died peacefully Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at his residence in Church Hill. will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Purvis officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from noon until time of service Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Williams was born Oct.10, 1930, near Crosby, the son of David Nehemiah Williams and Phylise Rhymer Williams.
One of seven children, he acquired his nickname “Duck” after rescuing 13 people from drowning in the swift currents of the Homochitto River next to his family property, where he grew up.
Always loving and excelling in football at Crosby High School, he was on his high school team that won the state championship for their division. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan. His talent in football allowed him to play on an Army team that traveled around Japan.
After an honorable discharge he moved to Natchez, where he met and married his loving wife of 63 years, Betty White Williams. He was employed by International Paper Company for 25 years before retiring to work the construction industry which allowed him time to travel and spend time around the North and Eastern United States. He was a long time member of Stanton Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
Mr. Williams loved his family, hunting, fishing, and working on his property at Church Hill, especially raising and training horses.
He was preceded in death by one son, Steen Allen Williams.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; four children, Terrell Williams and wife, Julia, of Ridgeland, Shelia Williams Fitzpatrick of Camden, Tenn., Billy Von Williams and wife, Mary, of Lafayette, Ind., and Cindy Williams Harper and husband, Jimmy, of Ferriday; seven grandchildren, Stefani Harper Faulkner, Becky Harper Crawley, Suzanne Fitzpatrick Chapman, Kristen Fitzpatrick Schapley, Ashton Terrell Williams, Brison Grey Williams and Christopher Thomas Williams; nine great- grandchildren; one brother, David W. Williams; and a number of nephews and nieces.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
The family wishes to express thanks for the Church Hill community who has been a special help to the Williams’ during his extended illness and especially Bob Guedon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Stanton Baptist Church or Church Hill Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.