Williams, Garland Ray 


GILMER -- Services for Garland Ray Williams, 78, of Gilmer, will 
be held noon Saturday, August 26, 2006, at Croley Funeral Home 
Chapel, with the Reverend Harvey Smith officiating. Burial will 
be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Mr. Williams was born March 24, 
1928, in Upshur County, to Lee Arthur and Vannie Beatrice Williams, 
who preceded him in death. He died Wednesday, August 23, 2006. Mr. 
Williams was a veteran of the Merchant Marines. He was a selmployed 
welder and former owner of the East Mountain Produce. Mr. Williams 
especially enjoyed gardening and cooking, expressing his love for 
his family and friends through displaying his culinary art. He was 
a Baptist. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; and 
daughter, Shirley A. Woods. He is survived by his wife, Mattie 
"Lee" Williams of Gilmer; son, Gary R. Williams of Hallsville; 
step-daughters, Debra Collins of Longview, Brenda Davis of 
Pritchett, and Linda Owens of Houston; 14 grandchildren; and 14 
great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Terry Gage, Bobby Gage, 
Mike Sperier, Dr. Stephen Rozanski, Frank Collins, and Taylor 
Metcalf. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday 
evening, August 25, 2006, at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 8/25/2006.