Cover photo for Oscar E. "Gene" Williams's Obituary
Oscar E. "Gene" Williams Profile Photo

Oscar E. "Gene" Williams

d. August 23, 2021

Oscar E. "Gene" Williams

Oscar E. Williams, Jr., better known as "Gene", peacefully passed away at home with loved ones on August 23, 2021 at the age of 86. Born on September 29, 1934 in Montgomery, Alabama, Gene was a true son of the Old South. Affectionately nicknamed "Buckaroo" as a child he was raised by his loving parents, Oscar and Lily Claire Williams, at the family's generations deep homestead of Rosewood Plantation in Lowndesboro, AL. As a child and teenager, Gene spent his days hunting, fishing, horse back riding and all aspects of country boy plantation life. However, this did not get in the way of his studies as he graduated from Hayneville High School, class of 1952 as both class Valedictorian and football letterman. Following high school, Gene accepted an appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering, Class of 1956. Later in life, he often referred to his years at "The Boat School" as some of his fondest. After Annapolis, Gene accepted a commission as 2nd LT in the US Air Force, being trained and assigned as a navigator on the Air Force's new B-52 Stratofortress. One of his initial assignments was at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC where he met his beloved and cherished wife of 61 years, Charlotte, on a blind date. She was attending Duke University in Durham, NC as Gene would tell the story, and as he saw her walk down a flight of dormitory stairs "with just one look, that's all it took." They would later marry on April 2, 1960. Gene's Air Force career would take him from Seymour Johnson, to Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH where he earned his Master's Degree in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Gene was then stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany and flew missions with the Air Force's Strategic Air Command during Operation Chrome Dome. From there he would be assigned to Reese AFB in Lubbock, TX, where he would earn his Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. A stop at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM would be next, followed by his last Air Force destination at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS where he was assigned as an instructor, finally retiring as a Major in 1976. Gene then went on to work at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS in their Research and Development division, working on numerous highly technical projects. Most notable was the Aegis Spy One Radar System in which Gene was the Lead Engineer. He retired from Ingalls in 2005 at the age of 70. Concurrent with his years at Ingalls, he taught evening classes in electrical engineering at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL and served a term on the Ocean Springs School Board. In retirement, Gene loved to participate in long range rifle shooting matches. He also continued to love the outdoors, frequently traveling to his beloved family homestead, Rosewood Plantation. He was a lifetime member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, National Rifle Association and a member of the Son's of Confederate Veterans. He was also an active member of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar E. Williams and Lily Claire Meadows Williams of Lowndesboro, AL and his son Joseph Robert Williams of Ocean Springs. He is survived by his beloved wife, Charlotte J. Wilbur Williams, brothers, Ransom C. Williams (Patsy) and Richard M. Williams (Linda), both of Lowndesboro, AL, children, Patricia A. Kendrick (Ron), Linda C. Kasch (Michael), David E. Williams, Jonathan C. Williams (Tara), James H. Williams (Paula), Sarah K. Skupien (Walter), Laura E. Webb (Trent), Christina M. Valentine (Vincent), Timothy A. Williams (Linsey), Rebekah S. Whittenberger (Merrill), Richard F. Williams (Angel), grandchildren, Daniel Kendrick, Emily Kendrick, Mike Kasch Jr., Jett Kasch, Zachary Williams, Jude Williams, Aiden Williams, Caroline Williams, Jack Williams, Tanner Williams, Ransom Williams, Luke Skupien, Nate Skupien, Charlotte Skupien, Stella Skupien, Clay Valentine, Joey Valentine, Vinnie Valentine, Elliot Williams, Lily Williams, Samuel Williams, Ella Whittenberger, Isaac Whittenberger, Amelia Williams. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, from 11am until 12pm, with a 12 pm Mass of Christian Burial, all at St Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, followed by a graveside service at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. A reception will then be held at the home of Jim and Paula Williams, 3633 Perryman Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Flowers may be sent to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

11:00am - 12:00 pm

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs

502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

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Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Starts at 12:00 pm

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs

502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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