Lt. Col. Ret. William J. Williams
September 19, 1926 – April 10, 2023

Celebration of Life service for Bill Williams will be Sat April 29, 2023, at 10am,
DeGusipe Funeral Home, Maitland. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly invites you
to donate a few hours of your time to a cause dearest to your heart, in honor of
Bill.

William (Bill) J. Williams, 96, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Winter
Park, Florida. He was born in Bremerton, Washington State as the youngest of 3
brothers (George and Roy Williams) and 1 sister (Isabelle Jereb), all predeceased.
The Williams family owned a 9-acre farm in Bremerton, WA where Bill spent his
childhood. He graduated Bremerton High School in 1944, followed by 2 years at
Olympia Community College. Bill fulfilled a childhood dream of flying by entering
the Air Force in 1948. He married Helen Ugolik in 1952, and as a newlywed of 3
months, left to complete 56 missions in the Korean War as a B-26 pilot. He was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 3 Air Medals. Bill later served as pilot
for Air Force Two, the plane that transports Vice Presidents and dignitaries, from
1955-1963. Bill continued his Air Force career in Hawaii as a Rescue Squadron
pilot before retiring in Florida as Lt Col. in 1968. He then became a commercial
pilot for Shawnee Airlines, a pilot for Aircraft Charter Service and finally a pilot for
a local law firm.

After his flying days were over, Bill reinvented himself as a local watercolor artist
and enjoyed decades of traveling and adventures alongside his wife. He was also
a prolific writer. Bill left behind written stories of his travels and experiences for
future generations to enjoy. Bill spent the last 6 years living at Westminster
Winter Park where he made many friends and participated in every available art
contest!

Bill leaves behind 2 sons, William (Peggy) Williams Jr. , David (Dawn) Williams,
and 1 daughter, Susan (Pete) Owens, 4 grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Rankin,
Julie (Tucker) Turner, Michael Williams, and Matthew (Olivia) Owens. Bill has 3
Great grandchildren: Adam and Anna Rankin, and Gavin Turner.