Donald Ray Williams, 84, of Jacksonville, FL, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 21, 2018.  Don was born in Miami, FL on November 6, 1933.  He grew up in the Brentwood area of Jacksonville and attended Brentwood Elementary, Kirby Smith and Andrew Jackson High School. Don served in the United States Air Force, assigned to the 2 ^nd Radio Relay Squadron and the 5 ^th Communications Group and was a veteran of the Korean War. He had a longstanding career with American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) and retired after 31 years of service.  Don was a lifelong member of Terry Parker Baptist Church, and a resident of the Arlington community.  He was a God-fearing Christian and a family man. He was gentle, kind, humble, gracious, soft spoken and full of love and compassion. He had an infectious smile and laugh that would brighten up everyone and his family was his pride and joy.  Don had many hobbies throughout his lifetime including photography, drawing, poetry, gardening, computers, playing chess, studying the Bible, and sharing stories with his daughters, son-in-law's, grandsons and great grandchildren. He lived his life every day with God first, family and friends second, and everything else after that.  He referred to it as waking up with JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself) each day and led by example.

Donald is preceded in death by both parents, Lucious Lee Williams and Juno Margaret Mansill Williams; sister, Carolyn Goethe; his beloved wife of 42 years, Jo-An Williams; son, Donald Ray Williams Jr.; daughter, Dana Williams and son-in-law, James Leake.

He is survived by his three daughters, Dona Yazbec (George), Diane Leake, Denise Williams; five grandsons, Christopher and Michael Yazbec, James and Jesse Leake, Brian Williams; and two great-grandchildren, Rylan and McKenzie Leake; sister, Shirley Carroll; nieces, Diane Smith (Harry), Peggy Jones (Harold), Lynn Tison, Debbie Carroll and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends at Terry Parker Baptist Church located at 7024 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, FL 32277 , on Friday, July 27, 2018 from 6:00-8:00PM.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 11:00AM at Terry Parker Baptist Church, 7024 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, FL 32277 , with Sr. Pastor Dennis Singletary officiating.  A Committal Service with Military Honors will commence following funeral services at Arlington Park Cemetery, 6921 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 .