Biography

Ben E. Williams, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at the age of 68.

Ben was born May 1, 1942, in Camilla, Georgia, to the late Bennie and Ila Williams. He attended William Carey College where he earned a Bachelors of Science in 1975 and earned a Master of Science in Personnel Management from Troy State University in 1983.

One of Ben’s proudest achievements was serving in the United States Army for 22 years. Ben entered the Army as a Private at the age 17. He attended Officers Candidate School and after receiving his Commission served four tours of duty in Vietnam. Ben was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart among many other medals during his career in the military. His crowning achievements during his service was earning the title of Army Ranger and serving with an elite Special Forces battalion.

After retiring from the Army, Ben started a second career as a financial advisor with First Command Financial Planning. Ben enjoyed helping families plan for their future. He loved his family and wanted all families to enjoy financial freedom as they faced their retirement years.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and spending time at Camp Standown, his hunting and wildlife preserve located in Holmes County. Ben enjoyed hunting trips to Canada and Illinois. The delight of his life was spending time in the outdoors with his son, Ben. They enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips and always came home with stories.

Ben is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sandi; his son and his wife, Ben and Alison; his daughter and her husband, Kristina and Chris Lange; two grandchildren, Rion and Izabella Lange; one sister and her husband, Nell and Tom Dykes; one brother and his wife, Ronnie and Freddie; and one sister in law, Susan Glidewell. He is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of life for Ben Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 23, at Wright Baptist Church located at 795 Beal Pkwy NW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Floral arrangements will be accepted or donations can be made to Special Forces Warrior Foundation. Please go to www.specialops.org for directions on how to make a donation in Ben’s honor or mail your donation to Special Ops Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 13483, Tampa, FL 33681-3483. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life

Friday July 23, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at Wright Baptist Church
Click for Map and Directions

Pastor Sean McMahon will be officiating the service