Donnie Ray Williams

Donnie Ray Williams, 74 of Lakeland, GA passed away after a short illness on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, FL. He was born the youngest of 7 children on September 24, 1947 in Williamston, NC to the late Jasper & Maggie Pierce Williams. In addition to his parents he was proceeded in death by his Wife of 51 years, Phyllis Ann Paradise Williams, infant son, Donnie Ray Williams Jr, brothers, James Henry Hurst, Bennie Walker Williams, and Sister Maggie Silverthorne Hovan. Survivors include his daughter Raynae Jones (Holly), Stockton, GA Grandchildren Loretta Rageth (Jerod), Durand, WI, Alison Brogdon, Nashville, GA, Dianna Norris (Chris), Indianapolis, IN, Grady Brogdon, Newport, OR & Ayla Jones, Stockton, GA Great Grandchildren, Laila Brooks, Colten Brooks, Tabby Rageth, Emma Norris, Abigail Brogdon, Garrett Ray Brogdon, Madelyn Norris, Bradley Brogdon and one on the way that he always asked for updates about! Brother Buddy Williams (Lily), Williamston, NC, Sisters Dorothy Beach (Russell), Williamston, NC, Mary Lou Smith, Williamston, NC, and Brother in Laws Lyle Paradise (Nadine), Hudson, OH, Butch Bundy (Donna), Longwood, FL & Mike Bundy (Becky), Williamston, NC A Special Niece Nita Warner (Fred) Valdosta, GA And numerous Nieces and Nephews. He served his country as an active-duty service member and National Guardsmen in the Army. He grew up in Williamston, NC and his family were sharecroppers. Times were tough but their Mama made sure that all of her surviving 6 kids were kept together with her as a family. He worked with H.G Bundy who later became his father-in-law and who taught him the trade of being a Ceramic Tile Setter. After just 10 days of knowing each other, he married Phyllis Ann Paradise on September 20, 1966. His boss, now his father-in-law was not impressed. He told his daughter that she was going to eat beans for the rest of her life by being married to him! In time his father-in-law became like a father to him and they shared the love of their trade. In 1971 their daughter Raynae was born when they still lived in Williamston, NC He served as a National Army Guardsman from 1964- 1971 and then was active-duty army from 1971-1980. During his years in the Army, he and his family traveled all over. He was stationed twice in Germany along with Ft. Riley, KS & Ft. Louis, WA. It seemed he traveled just as much even after he left the Army. He and his family continued their journey and went on to live in Chattanooga, TN when he attended Tennessee Temple University. Then went back to KS and lived in Abilene & Junction City. They kept on traveling and went to Greenville, NC for a while then on to Rome GA. Around 1984 the family came to Valdosta and settled in Lake Park in 1986. And after his daughter graduated and moved out, he and Phyliss moved to Longwood, FL. There he did ceramic tile work for some well-known people and he met Mr. Fred Rogers during that time. To be near his grandkids they made their last move to Lakeland GA. He was the owner of the Don R. Williams Tile Company in Lakeland, GA until his retirement. Along with traveling he had a love for music. He loved to sing some Hank Sr!! One Christmas at his daughters he sang for 4 hours or more on the Karaoke machine she just got. He took care of his wife Phyllis for 12 years after she had her stroke. He made sure that she was able to stay at home the entire time she was bedridden. He was by her side until she took her last breath. They were married for over 51 years. Donnie made sure that he told is only daughter Raynae that he loved her. A few weeks before he passed, he told her that he was sorry and wrong about how he acted when she came out as a lesbian. The last few years he had grown closer to his daughter and they enjoyed many great conversations and were making up for the lost time from their estrangement. He had grown to accept and love his daughter’s wife. Every time he would see Holly, he would tell her he loved her. He regretted the years wasted and the pain caused by a separation from his daughter and would tell any parent to not make that mistake. He would say to Parents to always love and accept your children no matter who they love. A Memorial Service will be held on April 4, 2022 7pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1951 E Park Ave, Valdosta GA.