Steve Williams

He was born in Martin in 1946, the son of the late Johnnie W. and Betty Mae (Forrester) Williams. Steve graduated from Union City High School in 1964 and from the United States Military Academy in 1968. While in the military, he also received a master’s degree in Operations Research and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. His 20 years in the army also included airborne school, ranger school, a tour in Viet Nam and a teaching position in the engineering department at West Point. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, he worked in Colorado Springs in management and engineering positions with space, missile defense and army combat systems projects. In his later years, he enjoyed reading, traveling, watching classic movies, playing his guitar and spending time with his friends and family.
Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ellen (Akin) Williams; their daughter, Lori; their son, Christopher Steven, and his wife Luvisa; their grandchildren, Rebekka (8), Kira (5) and Griffin (4 months); his sister, Judy Johnson of Martin; and his many loving relatives in northwest Tennessee.  
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, John Williams.
A memorial service will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Internment, with full military honors, will be held at the U.S. Military Academy Cemetery in West Point, N.Y.
A true southern gentleman, Steve Williams was defined by his moral strength, calmness and firm sense of fairness and honesty.