Otis Lewis Williams

Otis Lewis Williams, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of his children. During his final days, he was supported by the compassionate care of Emerald Coast Hospice.

Born on September 27, 1948, in Montgomery, Alabama, Otis was the son of Eddie Mae Jones and Clarence Williams. He was raised in a loving home by his mother and his stepfather, Charles White, who became the stable father figure in Otis’s life and a devoted grandfather to Otis’s children.

Growing up, Otis learned the value of hard work early by assisting on his grandparents' farm. He graduated with the Class of 1966 from George Washington Carver High School before attending Council Trenholm State Vocational Technical School, where he earned a certificate in Radio & Television Repair in 1968.

On August 7, 1968, Otis began a career of dedicated service by enlisting in the United States Air Force. After completing Aerospace Ground Equipment training, he was deployed to DaNang Air Base in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971.

His service took him around the globe, most notably to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. It was there that he met and married Remedios “Remy” Mendoza Gumarao on July 3, 1972. Affectionately known by friends as “O-Ten,” Otis was well-regarded for his leadership and character. He retired at the rank of Technical Sergeant on August 31, 1988, from the 49th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. His squadron gifted him a retirement plaque engraved with the quote that described him as “A man of few words, great deeds, and a leader to emulate”. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Following his military retirement, Otis settled his family in Fort Walton Beach and began a second career as a Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (HRAC) Mechanic at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory on Eglin AFB. A lifelong learner, he earned further certifications in Electronic Technology and Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Service Technology at the Bay Area Vocational-Technical School and Residential Electric Wiring at Okaloosa Applied Technology Center. He retired from the lab in 2013 after 25 years of service.

Ever the entrepreneur, Otis also operated a vending machine business and was a well-known local handyman. Repairing AC units or working various jobs alongside his friend Michael Weisz of Shalimar and Melvin Johnson of Fort Walton Beach.

In his retirement, Otis embraced his love for travel, visiting Japan and the Philippines, and cruising through the Caribbean. He was proud of his proficiency in Tagalog and maintained deep ties to his family abroad. An avid sportsman, Otis enjoyed fishing, pool, and bowling. He was a longtime member and pool teammate at the Harvey F. Eckhoff VFW Post 7674 and participated in several bowling tournaments at the Fort Walton Beach Bowl and The Southern Bowling Congress. Otis is affiliated with and participated in the choir at Beulah First Baptist Church.

Otis is survived by his daughter, Tanga M. Williams; son, Sudario V. Williams; brother, Roger L. Patrick; sister, Patricia A. Wassil and her husband Gary; nephews, McCallium L. Davis and LeDarion Davis and his wife, Zama; great niece, Haliyah White; nieces, Evangeline G. Baker and her husband, Darryle, Edna G. Emerson, Teresita S. Acita, Imelda Vicencio, and Chanda Chiba. He leaves behind a large network of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family across the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines, as well as dear friends including Raul V. Tuazon of Alameda, CA; Remedios T. Kirby and Joanna T. Kirby of Gulfport, MS; Joseph Williams, Alta Larkins, Melvin Johnson, Darlyn Lang and many others in the Fort Walton Beach community.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32547. The family will receive friends an hour prior beginning at 10:00AM. The service will be officiated by Beulah First Baptist Church.

Interment with full military honors will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery, where Otis will be laid to rest near Remy, the mother of his children.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Homes and Crematory.  To view the service via livestream, and post remembrances, condolences and photos to the tribute wall, please visit www.daviswatkins.com