Clifton Lamar Williams

Mr. Clifton “Lamar” Williams, 82, died Monday, August 5, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The funeral will be Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Abbeville. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 A.M. Burial will follow the service in Abbeville Cemetery.

Lamar was born on June 12, 1942, in Union County, Mississippi, to the late Lula Mae Graham and Grady Williams. Raised with a respect and devotion for his country, he was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, continuing his family’s legacy of military service. Lamar was stationed in France as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist. When his brother went missing in action while serving in Vietnam, Lamar continued to hold his head high, never allowing his commitment to the job or his faith in God to waiver. 20 years ago, he was finally able to see his brother’s remains welcomed home and laid to rest.

All of Lamar’s efforts in the military and the work he did once returning home were for the benefit of his family. While he worked hard, he played even harder, never needing a drop of alcohol to be the life of the party, joking often that he could have just as much fun as a drunk. Lamar lived every moment for his family, caring only for their happiness. Proudly accepting the role of jokester, if he ever picked on you, that was the truest mark of his love for you. He and his wife, Susan, developed a love and talent for country western line-dancing, and were always willing to teach others their moves. While their children were young, Lamar relished every opportunity to take them on camping and canoe trips, creating priceless memories that he treasured. After they were grown, he found a job as a Flight Line Manager at Olive Branch Airport. The job brought him complete joy and fulfillment, reigniting the same passion he felt for aviation during his time in the Air Force. Lamar was known as a man’s man, satisfied by life’s simplest pleasures, like a good day spent fishing. Together, he and Susan started a ceramics business creating small home accessories. They both loved the craft, traveling often to art shows, and coining the slogan, “Made by Two Old People in Mississippi.” Lamar traveled often to Orman Beach, Florida with his family, admiring the sweeping ocean views and coastal breeze. It was here that he and Susan would reflect often on their life, their large and loving family, and the many wonderful memories they had made together. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Ellis Williams; sister, Jean Fuller; and two great-grandsons, Landen Tucker and Waylon Tucker.

Lamar is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Williams of Abbeville, MS; daughters, Stacy Williams and Shawn Sones and her husband, Chris, both of Abbeville, MS; sons, Shannon McDonald of Abbeville, MS and Kevin Williams of Memphis, TN; brother, Roy Dean Williams and his wife, Glendell of Thaxton, MS; grandchildren, James “Trey” Williams III (Courtney), Jessica Tucker (Robert), Kelly Ingram (Tristan), Aaron Tatum (Victoria), Dallas MacDonald, and Leela McDonald; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Lamar’s memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10306, or online at https://t2t.org/, or to Abbeville Cemetery Fund, c/o Abbeville Bank, Post Office Box 39, Abbeville, MS 38601.

In honor of Lamar’s service, the flag of the United States Air Force will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.