Billy Williams

Billy Vernon Williams, 95, of Decatur, IL, departed this life at 1:05 a.m., February 6, 2018. Funeral services will be 12:00 p.m., on Friday, February 9, 2018, with Fire Dept. Honor Guard ceremony at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Masonic services conducted by Macon Lodge #8 will be at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 8, visitation following until 8 p.m., at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.Billy was born January 11, 1923 in Monticello, IL, the son of Frank P. Williams and Myrtle I. (Hinman) Williams. The family moved to Decatur in 1927. Both the Williams and Hinman families had resided in Jasper and Richland counties in southern Illinois for decades. During dad’s youthful years, until he entered the Navy in January 1941, he spent summers in southern Illinois with his sisters, brother, numerous aunts, uncles and many cousins. Dad told many stories about the time he spent in southern Illinois. Dad attended Decatur Public Schools until enlisting in the Navy in 1941. He received his high school diploma while in the Navy. He would of graduated with the class of 1941 from Decatur High School.Dad served on the USS Pensacola from before the start of WWII until December 1944. From that time until his discharge in 1947, Dad was stationed in California as a tugboat skipper. Dad’s ship, the USS Pensacola saw active duty in nearly every major battle in the Pacific Ocean. The USS Pensacola left Pearl Harbor one week before Pearl Harbor was bombed. The ship was enroute to Manila to take provisions to General MacArthur’s headquarters. The ship returned directly to Pearl Harbor where Dad and shipmates were assigned the task of clean up.From the time the ship left Pearl Harbor until approximately 30 days after the attack, Dad was unable to get word to his parents of his fate at Pearl Harbor. At the battle of Tassafarango, November 30 to December 1, 1942, the ship was torpedoed. 7 officers and 118 men were killed and 1 officer and 78 men wounded. Dad was one of the lucky ones and escaped uninjured. He was granted 30 days leave while the ship was repaired. This would be the only time from his enlistment until December 1944 that dad was not assigned to the ship and active duty. Upon his return to Decatur from WWII Dad was a bartender at a popular bar, The Winery. Several interesting stories survive today from his bartending days. Dad worked for a few years at the Decatur Signal Depot after his employment at the Winery. In October 1955 Dad became a member of the Decatur Fire Department. He retired with over 20 years of service as a Lieutenant. Dad was also a carpenter. He started out with fellow fireman, doing remodel work on homes. He graduated to building new homes. From 1959 to 1975 Dad built 12 new homes and would go on to build 2 additional new homes in later years. Dad also served as Macon County Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer from 1976 to 1985. In retirement, he would run for and win election to the Macon County Board and as Decatur Township Road Commissioner.Dad married Marjorie Elaine Drum in 1957. They had two sons, David Williams of rural Maroa and Tom Williams of Decatur. Marjorie Elaine Drum Williams preceded him in death in 1996. Dad later married Beverly Willson Krause. Beverly also preceded Dad in death.Dad was a 60 plus year member of Grace United Methodist Church, a 57 year member of the Masons, as well as a former member of several local car clubs.He is survived by his two sons, David Williams and Tom Williams and wife Melissa; grandson Mitchel Williams and wife Stacy; several nieces and nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews. He was affectionately known as Uncle Jerry to his many nieces and nephews.The family wishes to thank Dr. Bill Franklin and staff and the Legacy unit of Evergreen Place for their compassion and excellent care. "
}