Walter Kenneth Williams of Bowling Green, Kentucky entered into eternal rest on August 22, 2012. He was born on November 10, 1935 on a farm near Monticello, Kentucky to Helen Catherine Brown and Walter Williams.

He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1954 and Lindsey Wilson College in 1957. While attending Lindsey Wilson, he served Bethlehem and Fountain Run Methodist Churches in Tompkinsville, Kentucky. While at Kentucky Wesleyan, he served as a Pastor at Short Creek, Kentucky where he helped build the Short Creek Methodist Church. He graduated Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1959 where he earned his BA degree in Bible. He graduated Seminary at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1962 and served as a Student Pastor in Alabama and Georgia. After graduating Seminary, he served as Pastor of a Methodist Church in Somerville, Kentucky.

In 1962, he became a Chaplain First Lieutenant in the United States Army and proudly served his Country. Prior to that, he served eight years in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

Assignments include: Korea, Vietnam, Germany and Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was assigned to the Chaplain's Career Course in Brooklyn New York and then to the Post Chapel at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He also completed a year of graduate work in Drug and Alcohol Abuse at Berkley at the University of California and from there to Fort Wadsworth, New York as a member of the Faculty of the United States Army Chaplain School and as the Chief of the Export Training Division and Adjunct Professor at Long Island University in New York City. He retired in 1982 as a Lieutenant Colonel from Fort Dix, New Jersey with twenty eight years of service to his Country.

Awards include:
The Bronze Star five times while in Vietnam, National Defense Service Medal,
Army Commendations Medal with OC'L,
RVN Campaign Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal w/4 SVC Stars,
Two Overseas Service Bars,
RVN Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm,
Air Medal,
Meritorious Unit Citation,
Civil Action Honor Medal First Class,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal,
Overseas Service Ribbon,
W/1, Army SVC Ribbon

He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Eva Lovelace of Monticello, Kentucky; a son, Douglas K. Williams of Atlanta, Georgia (Tony); a daughter, Teresa A. Steiner of Bowling Green, Kentucky; six grandsons, Peter W. Steiner (Laura) of Nashville, Tennessee, Brian D. Steiner of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Jonathan K. Williams-Estevez, Anthony A. Williams-Estevez, Aladi D. Williams-Estevez, and Christian J. Williams-Estevez all of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by a sister, Polly Desmond (Charles) of Lexington, Kentucky; and two brothers, John A. Williams (Loreen), and Douglas E. Williams (Virgie) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and one loyal pet named Pepper. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Catherine Brown and Walter Williams.

This highly regarded Kentuckian, devout Christian, Husband and Father, who served the United Methodist Church as Pastor and Teacher is remembered on this day for the many contributions he made to his family, friends, community and country.

Chaplain Williams will be deeply missed by all whose lives were touched by his remarkable presence.


The family will receive friends on Friday, August 24, 2012 from 5 – 9 pm in the chapel of the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 10 am at the Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home officiating. Burial will be in Elk Spring Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by DAV Chapter 105.