James Rudolph “Rudy” Williams, 85, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, August 15, 2019.
Mr. Williams was born June 18, 1934, to Louie and Hattie Williams in Castleberry, Ala. A 1952 Conecuh High School graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture at Auburn in 1956 as a member of the Air Force ROTC program. Commissioned as an Air Force Second Lieutenant, he served as a weapons controller on active duty for more than four years. Earning his Masters in Business Administration at Auburn University in 1969, he served for 11 years in the Alabama National Guard in the 115th Tactical Control Squadron in Dothan, Ala. He completed his 28-year military career in the AF Reserve, 678th Air Defense Group at Tyndall AFB in Florida and as a liaison officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy while holding a civilian career at Vitro Services and later worked in the sporting goods Department at Wal Mart for more than 14 years.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 22, at the chapel of Craver's Funeral Home with Chaplain Ralph Molyneux officiating. Burial will follow, with full Military Honors, at Buffington Cemetery in Castleberry with Craver's Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of 63 years, Julia Williams; two sons, Anthony Williams and Gregory (Margie) Williams; three daughters, Kaye (Mike) Miller, Janet Lamiroult and Kimberly Williams; one sister, Myrtice Ellis; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nephews, nieces and other family members.
Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Theo Williams, Ollie Lee Williams and Louie “Judson” Williams; and one sister, Thelma Grant.
