Tommy Joe Williams of Tuckerman formerly of Fayetteville was born September 12, 1935, to Pearl Milligan Williams and Owen Obine Williams, in Strawberry. He finished his long battle with Advanced Parkinson’s disease on July 3, 2020, and went to spend eternity with His Lord in a new and healthy glorified body.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters; Mable, Freda, Mildred Williams, and Wanda Wells all of Tuckerman.
He is survived by his three daughters: Barbara Williams Walker, Teresa Williams, and Karen Williams Dale and husband Dr. Bob Dale all of Paulina, La., five grandchildren: Lindsay Bowen Hauge and husband Trey Hauge, Shelby, Abbey, and Robby all of Paulina, La., Macy Burford of Denver, Colo., four great-grandchildren: Trey Hauge, Jr., Hannah, Cassidy and Amelia Hauge all of Paulina, La. Also survived by one sister Vickie Diane Williams of Tuckerman, and his wife, Ginger Bishop Williams, of Springdale.
Tommy was baptized as a teenager along with his sister, Freda, and both of his parents at the Tuckerman First Baptist Church following a revival at the Pond Switch Church. He was a 1953 graduate of Tuckerman High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and served in Korea. After his discharge as a Corporal, he returned to his home and began his police career as a city policeman with the Newport City Police Department where he worked until 1963. At that time he graduated from the Arkansas State Police Academy and was stationed with Troop L in the Fayetteville area until he retired in 1985. He also continued to serve in the Arkansas National Guard with the 142nd Field Artillery in Fayetteville where he served in Desert Storm in 1991, liberating Kuwait from Iraq. He continued his service with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office until he retired in 2006.
Besides working in military and police service, Tommy enjoyed traveling, watching CNN and any nature show, watching Nascar Races, and visiting with his family and friends as well as spending time with his beloved dog, Sam. In 2011, his illness required more home care and he left his home in Fayetteville and lived with his daughter, Teresa and family in Russellville until 2013. He moved to his hometown in Tuckerman with his sisters and 24/7 caregivers. He has been resident of the Waters (formerly Lindley Nursing and Rehab Center) in Newport since May of 2015.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Dillinger Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until service time Tuesday at Dillinger Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Gracelawn Cemetery.
