DOVER - Donnie Andrew Williams was born in Buckshannon, W.Va., to the late George and Thelma Williams. He attended Riverside High School.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Geraldine E. Williams.
Back in the day, they only went to one school from the first grade on to the 12th grade. He graduated from Riverside in 1951. During his high school years, he was on the school's basketball team. The team gave him a nickname, 'Pee-Bee'.
Right after high school, he left home and joined the United States Air Force at the young age of 18. His military career was a rather long one. Donnie began basic training in Sampson, N.Y., on Jul. 13, 1952. Then, he went to Denver, Colo., to attend tech school in Coco Beach, Fla., where they taught him how to load airplanes. Then he went to New Jersey to get transported to Germany, where he stayed on the ship called 'General Alexander Patch'. They stayed on the boat for 21 days. Afterwards, he was sent to Burton Wood, England, where he was stationed for about a year. His next assignment was in Briars Norton, England, where he worked in supply and later moved to France. After his stay in France, he was assigned to North Africa.
He returned to the United States at Wheelers Field Air Force Base in New Jersey. His last Air Force assignment was at the Dover Air Force Base.
After serving six years in the military, Donnie began working at Kraft General Foods in 1964. He was one of the first employees hired when the company opened. His first job was a press operator in the chocolate department, until a few years before his retirement.When they closed that department, he move into the beverage department until his retirement in 1994. He was also a member of the company's local 56 Union and bowling league, where he was awarded several trophies. For a few years he was member of the Masonic Lodge.
Donnie attended Calvary Baptist Church, where he obtained his membership and worked diligently on the Senior Ushers board. He really enjoyed recording events and services for the church with his camcorder, which would allow him to review the tapes at home, replaying the choirs of the church and making memories with his family. He also enjoyed traveling with his family every summer to his favorite vacation spots, such as the Bahamas, St. Martins, Hawaii and Barbados.
He also enjoyed working and fixing things and was an avid sports fan.His favorite saying was "I live for the Redskins", his favorite football team. He also liked to bowl, swim and watch T.V.
To cherish his memories, Donnie leaves his daughter, Deborah A. Williams; Barbara Powell, his special caregiver; Angela Elizabeth Jackson, his faithful niece; and a host cousins, nieces, nephews, family friends.
Celebration of Life service will take place on Thursday, Mar. 2, 2017, at 12 noon at Calvary Baptist Church, Queen and Fulton Street, Dover, DE 19904, with visitation one hour to prior to service.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.