Walter Williams

Walter Williams, 83, of Russell County, AL passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025 after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, August 1, 2025 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. An interment will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.

Walter Williams was born December 16, 1941 in Russell County Alabama. He was raised in Smiths Station and attended Smith Station High School. Walter would later go on to Auburn University and graduated in 1964. After college, he joined the Peace Corps and spent two years with the Corps. Walter spent 18 months in Malawi fighting Tuberculosis, particularly in the young and vulnerable. After returning from Africa, he joined the Navy and went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Rhode Island. Walter would later serve his country in Vietnam with the Navy. He would later earn a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama and work for the State of Georgia as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist helping the handicap and disadvantage. Walter also continued to serve in the Navy Reserve. He retired from the Navy as a Commander in the late 1980s. Walter had a passion for music and theatre. Walter serviced in multiple choirs including First Presbyterian Church Americus, GA and Edgewood Presbyterian Church for 39 years.

Walter is preceded in death by sister, Evelyn Williams of Smiths, AL.

Walter is survived by his wife, Shirley Williams; son, Kevin Williams (Karen); daughter, Miranda Erwin (Doug); 4 grandchildren, Emily Williams, Rachel Williams, Jacob Erwin and Dylan Erwin. Sister, Kathryn Pace Blakely, Georgia and brother, Herbert Williams Smiths Station, AL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of choice or Malawi Children’s Village at https://malawichildrensvillage.org/