Gerald D. Williams

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings... Put out my hand and touched the face of God." J.G. Magee, Jr. BENTON, LA - Gerald Douglas Williams slipped away on January 1, 2015. Gerald was born to the late John and Bessie Williams on November 25, 1934 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. A visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City on Sunday, January 4 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. at Rose-Neath's Bossier Chapel with Rev. Dr. William D. Peeples officiating. Interment will be at Mound Cemetery in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. At the age of 15 he started working at the local airport, and it was there that he acquired his love of flying. He graduated from Rolling Fork High School. Gerald received an accounting degree from Delta State College. Soon after graduating from college, he entered the Aviation Cadet Program to prepare to be an Air Force Pilot. His career sent him to Florida, Arkansas, New Hampshire, Michigan, Guam, and Korea. He flew both bombers and KC135s. He retired after 20 years as a Lieutenant Colonel. Returning to the field of accounting, he was an insurance auditor for USF&G and Louisiana Workers Compensation. He enjoyed his hobbies of flying radio controlled airplanes and playing golf. Gerald was a member of First United Methodist Church of Shreveport. Gerald was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dan and Emery Dale. Gerald is survived by his wife, Shirley Hinton Williams; sister, Dorothy Fratesi; children, Gerald D. Williams, Jr. and wife, Jill, Anne E. Peeples and husband, Chris and grandchildren, Ben Williams, Meg Williams, William Peeples and Jonathan Peeples. The family would like to thank Dr. Carter Boyd for his 40 years of caring for Gerald. During his last month of life he received the kindest care from Dr. Raghu Nathan and the staff of Promise Hospital of Bossier City.