George Donald "Don" Williams

George "Don" Williams of Pensacola, Florida passed away peacefully at 85 years old on Friday, January 24 2025. Born and raised on a farm in small town Cotton, Georgia to Cecil Williams and Virginia Heirs, he demonstrated his love of Country and served 21 years in the United States Air Force achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Don moved to Pensacola where he got a Master's Degree in Counseling and Psychology from University of West Florida and was a Family Counselor for nearly 30 years. Pensacola is also where he found is love of sailing, but in 1980 he met his wife Lisa Williams, and that is when sailing and she became his passion as they both experienced many adventures cruising the Bahamas, Cuba, and Central America for the next 45 years. Don was a fierce competitor in everything he did, from racing MGs while in the Air Force to racing sailboats in and around Pensacola, including one race from St. Petersburg, FL to Havana Cuba. Those who knew him, knew he was not always the most tactful person (especially when it came to sailing), but he proved himself time and time again that there was no more loyal of a friend to have than he. Don is survived by his wife Lisa, his three children Toby, Marc, and Robin, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through them as they will continue to tell of his adventures and have adventures of their own thanks to his love and guidance. From being on a sailing trip when a friend got hit in the face with a flying fish, to almost running on top of the water when he came face to face with a barracuda while trying to untangle a fishing line in the Bahamas, to parking the boat under the fireworks in Pensacola Bay with his family all around him, there will be no shortage of stories to tell. "He died about a month ago While winter filled the air And though I cried, I was so proud To love a man so rare He's somewhere on the ocean now A place he outta be With one hand on the starboard rail He's wavin' back at me" -Jimmy Buffet, Captain and the Kid Sail on sailor. Godspeed Don, Dad, Pa-pa. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made as a tribute gift in his memory to the American Alzheimer's Association. https://alzfdn.org/donate/ A memorial party for Don will occur sometime in the Spring. More information will follow as details are confirmed.

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George Donald "Don" Williams

December 24, 1939 - January 24, 2025