In Memory of
Carroll Clayton "Clay"
Williams
Williams
1945 - 2017
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Obituary for Carroll Clayton "Clay" Williams
Lt. Col. USAF Ret., Carroll Clayton Williams, passed from life on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at his home. Roden-Pryor Funeral Directors will hold memorial services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 19, 2017 with Rev. Larry Young and Rev. Mike Fortenberry officiating.
The family will greet friends immediately following the services at the funeral home.
He was born to Ralph Clayton Williams and Norma Jean Stubblefield Williams on June 10, 1945, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Jordan Ludlow and a nephew, Shane Fountain. He is survived by his sweetheart and companion, Jan Rachor, a daughter, Stacey Williams Ludlow and her husband Dr. Sean Ludlow of Mustang, Oklahoma and their three children, Dillon, Doryn, and Caitlyn; a daughter Lee Anne Williams Watts and her husband Charlie Watts of San Antonio, Texas and their two children, Rachel and Emily; a sister, Kandice Williams Pryor and her husband Don Pryor of Paris, Texas, as well as nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Clay graduated from the University of Arkansas and the ROTC program in 1968. He then went into active duty with the USAF and during his career, he furthered his education by earning a Master of Science, Business Administration with concentration in Public Health Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He completed a master’s level Air Force Health Care Administration Course with additional courses in Air Command and Staff as well as, Squadron officer school. He served as a Health Services Administrator and was involved in planning, overseeing, and building military hospitals.
During his Air Force career, he served four years in Danang, Vietnam in the medical unit for which he earned the Vietnam Service Medal. After that, he served as Deputy Director, Facilities; Assistant, Secretary Defense, Health Affairs, OSD, while at the Pentagon in Washington DC. In addition to this, he was Deputy Director, Health Care Facilities Division at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. While at Brooks, one of his accomplishments was to plan and implement a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) to convert all paper designs to digitally stored computer images. He also planned and directed the first inter-agency construction project between the Veterans’ Affairs and the Air Force in the construction of the Davis Monthan Air Force Base Hospital (still jointly operated). He was awarded many commendations as well as, a commendation for having an outstanding unit and organizational excellence both in domestic and foreign assignments. For this he was awarded the Senior Medical Service Corps badge and Chief Medical Services Corps badge. He served in support of Operation Desert Storm, 1990-1991. His last foreign assignment was in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1988, in which he was the Associate Administrator (Deputy CEO) and directed the Department of Information Management Systems.
After retiring from the Air Force in July of 1991, his civilian career path reflected his years of military service in medical administration and computer technology. As program Director for Specialty Health Management, Inc. at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, followed by the position of executive director, for Horizon Mental Health Management, Summerville, New Jersey, and finally as Director, Management Information Systems at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, Greystone Park, New Jersey. Clay offered his skilled-leadership capabilities, creativity , and innovative ideas to each entity and improved the quality and efficiency of each prior to his retirement in 2012. His daughter Lee Anne shares his passion for computers and she graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Information Systems.
A 1963 graduate of Galesburg-Augusta High School, Galesburg, Michigan, Clay cherished his membership on his schools beloved football team; winning the state championship his senior year. His high-school friendships were life long and the friends remained closely connected through the years. Story telling was his forte and he forever kept everyone laughing with an endless supply of jokes and reminisces of his childhood pranks. He loved recounting the funny adventures he and his friend Rene shared during their high school years. Clay, ever the prankster and big brother to his younger sister, talked her into jumping off the garage roof into the blanket he and a childhood friend held while playing firemen. No broken bones, but there was a very angry mother.
Clay loved golf, photography, reading, and dogs. He was passionate about rescuing dogs and finding them loving homes. He genuinely cared for others’ welfare and was known to pay restaurant tickets for strangers just because he thought they looked like they needed it. He excelled at home remodeling projects and prided himself on his tile laying abilities. After finally retiring and moving to Paris, he and his brother-in-law built a cabin where his skilled handiwork is on display. Clay simultaneously suffered a heart attack and severe stroke in 2015 leaving him paralyzed on the left side. We jokingly told him that since he lost half of his brain he was now at the same level of intelligence as the rest of us. Clay was a brilliant, articulate man and we will miss his quick wit and humor. Although he has had many great accomplishments in his life, the greatest one was when he gave his heart to Jesus Christ and took Him as his savior. We love you Clay, and look forward to that joyful day in Heaven when we will be with you again at God’s great family reunion.
If desired, memorial contributions in his honor may be sent to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 701 Clay Avenue, Room 115, Waco, Texas 76799. The representatives of this great organization guided Jan through the vast maze of the VA system and helped her secure the services for his care during the long period of his illness.
The family will greet friends immediately following the services at the funeral home.
He was born to Ralph Clayton Williams and Norma Jean Stubblefield Williams on June 10, 1945, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Jordan Ludlow and a nephew, Shane Fountain. He is survived by his sweetheart and companion, Jan Rachor, a daughter, Stacey Williams Ludlow and her husband Dr. Sean Ludlow of Mustang, Oklahoma and their three children, Dillon, Doryn, and Caitlyn; a daughter Lee Anne Williams Watts and her husband Charlie Watts of San Antonio, Texas and their two children, Rachel and Emily; a sister, Kandice Williams Pryor and her husband Don Pryor of Paris, Texas, as well as nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Clay graduated from the University of Arkansas and the ROTC program in 1968. He then went into active duty with the USAF and during his career, he furthered his education by earning a Master of Science, Business Administration with concentration in Public Health Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He completed a master’s level Air Force Health Care Administration Course with additional courses in Air Command and Staff as well as, Squadron officer school. He served as a Health Services Administrator and was involved in planning, overseeing, and building military hospitals.
During his Air Force career, he served four years in Danang, Vietnam in the medical unit for which he earned the Vietnam Service Medal. After that, he served as Deputy Director, Facilities; Assistant, Secretary Defense, Health Affairs, OSD, while at the Pentagon in Washington DC. In addition to this, he was Deputy Director, Health Care Facilities Division at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. While at Brooks, one of his accomplishments was to plan and implement a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) to convert all paper designs to digitally stored computer images. He also planned and directed the first inter-agency construction project between the Veterans’ Affairs and the Air Force in the construction of the Davis Monthan Air Force Base Hospital (still jointly operated). He was awarded many commendations as well as, a commendation for having an outstanding unit and organizational excellence both in domestic and foreign assignments. For this he was awarded the Senior Medical Service Corps badge and Chief Medical Services Corps badge. He served in support of Operation Desert Storm, 1990-1991. His last foreign assignment was in Wiesbaden, Germany, 1988, in which he was the Associate Administrator (Deputy CEO) and directed the Department of Information Management Systems.
After retiring from the Air Force in July of 1991, his civilian career path reflected his years of military service in medical administration and computer technology. As program Director for Specialty Health Management, Inc. at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, followed by the position of executive director, for Horizon Mental Health Management, Summerville, New Jersey, and finally as Director, Management Information Systems at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital, Greystone Park, New Jersey. Clay offered his skilled-leadership capabilities, creativity , and innovative ideas to each entity and improved the quality and efficiency of each prior to his retirement in 2012. His daughter Lee Anne shares his passion for computers and she graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Information Systems.
A 1963 graduate of Galesburg-Augusta High School, Galesburg, Michigan, Clay cherished his membership on his schools beloved football team; winning the state championship his senior year. His high-school friendships were life long and the friends remained closely connected through the years. Story telling was his forte and he forever kept everyone laughing with an endless supply of jokes and reminisces of his childhood pranks. He loved recounting the funny adventures he and his friend Rene shared during their high school years. Clay, ever the prankster and big brother to his younger sister, talked her into jumping off the garage roof into the blanket he and a childhood friend held while playing firemen. No broken bones, but there was a very angry mother.
Clay loved golf, photography, reading, and dogs. He was passionate about rescuing dogs and finding them loving homes. He genuinely cared for others’ welfare and was known to pay restaurant tickets for strangers just because he thought they looked like they needed it. He excelled at home remodeling projects and prided himself on his tile laying abilities. After finally retiring and moving to Paris, he and his brother-in-law built a cabin where his skilled handiwork is on display. Clay simultaneously suffered a heart attack and severe stroke in 2015 leaving him paralyzed on the left side. We jokingly told him that since he lost half of his brain he was now at the same level of intelligence as the rest of us. Clay was a brilliant, articulate man and we will miss his quick wit and humor. Although he has had many great accomplishments in his life, the greatest one was when he gave his heart to Jesus Christ and took Him as his savior. We love you Clay, and look forward to that joyful day in Heaven when we will be with you again at God’s great family reunion.
If desired, memorial contributions in his honor may be sent to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 701 Clay Avenue, Room 115, Waco, Texas 76799. The representatives of this great organization guided Jan through the vast maze of the VA system and helped her secure the services for his care during the long period of his illness.
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