Edward Williams

Edward Lee Williams died peacefully on Friday, December 7, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. He was born November 20, 1920 to the late Lee Roy and Mary Oswald Williams of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ed was a life-long Methodist and was a member of Beauvoir United Methodist Church in Biloxi. Ed graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. In 1942 he became a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, with his best friend Del Sroufe. They served in the 93rd Squadron of the 439 Troop Carrier Group where they flew C-47s behind enemy lines, towing gliders filled with troops and equipment. Ed and his crew were shot down December 27, 1944 while flying in ammunition to the 101st Air Borne Division which was dug in around Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Ed always felt close to his fellow squadron members and blessed that they could meet annually. Ed was Commander of the South Mississippi Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoner of Wars and was also heavily involved in the American Ex-Prisoner of Wars South Louisiana Chapter. Ed worked as an engineer for Texaco for 35 years retiring in New Orleans in 1981. He then worked for several more years as an independent Professional Engineer before finally retiring in 1984 to his long-time home in Metairie, LA. In 1998 the beauty of Mississippi Gulf Coast enticed him to relocate to Biloxi where he enjoyed the relaxed laid back atmosphere.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of over 40 years, Velma; his son, Ronald King and his wife, Cynthia; grandchildren, Stephanie Melerine and Ronald King II and their spouses; as well as 6 great-grandchildren, Clinton Melerine, Jr., Ryan Melerine, Lindsey King, Megan Melerine, Kelsey King, and Austin King.
Visitation for Ed will be at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Beauvoir Road, Biloxi between 12:45 and 1:45 p.m. on Monday December 10, 2007. The funeral service will be at 1:45 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, followed by interment at the Biloxi National Cemetery.