Gerald Wayne Williams

A memorial visitation for Gerald Wayne Williams is scheduled for 2 - 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston, LA.

Gerald Wayne Williams, 80, of Ruston, LA, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, after surviving seven years as a heart transplant recipient.

He was born in Hemphill, Texas on Aug. 15, 1939, to Mildred Causey Williams and Jack Williams.

He is survived by his wife Mary Gail Williams, sons David, Rocky, Monte and Rip, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gerald was a 1957 graduate of Crosbyton High School and continued on to receive his B.S. Degree from Texas Tech University.

Shortly afterward he moved his family to Louisiana after accepting a promising business opportunity, and continued a 36 year career with Willamette Industries becoming the Administrative Manager of the South for much of his tenure. Those that know him best would say that his success was attributed to his colorful personality and sense of humor, as well as his advanced skills in negotiation and creative problem solving.

A note from his family: “This is a man that succeeded greatly in spite of his very modest upbringing, truly breaking the mold of his heritage … and he did it all while keeping family as a primary focus and priority. He is our Patriarch and will be missed terribly, but his philosophies and disciplines will definitely live on through his heirs!”

To leave an online memorial message please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.