Velton C. Williams

Funeral services for Velton Williams, Sr. are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13 at Hillcrest Church of Christ with David Gray officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. A family visitation will be Thursday, September 12 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Velton C. Williams, Sr., 91, of Gainesville, Texas, passed away Monday, September 9, 2013, peacefully surrounded by family at his home.

He was born in Dexter, Texas, to Wesley Lee and Alberta Williams on August 9, 1922. Soon after the family moved to Southmayd, he helped manage and work the family farm.

After graduating from Southmayd High School he attended the University of North Texas. In 1942 he joined the Army Air Corp, and he served with distinction in WWII. He served in the China-Burma-India Theatre and was awarded the Bronze Star. Before he was deployed, he married the love of his life Norma Raye Klas of Southmayd on July 4, 1943. After the war he continued his education and received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Austin College. He taught school and coached in Southmayd while completing his master’s degree. In 1951, the young couple moved to Gainesville where he started employment with Gainesville Independent School District. He was the principal at Franklin Elementary, Gainesville Junior High School and J. Frank McMurray Elementary. He retired after 38 years of dedicated service to the school district.

Velton and Norma served the Gainesville community over 40 years in various organizations. Their favorite hobby was volunteering. Together, they amassed over 6,154 hours of service to Gainesville Memorial Hospital. Velton was an avid golfer and they both enjoyed playing bridge, family vacations, and their trips abroad.


If there is one thing that defined his life, it was his love for the Lord. As a young man he was one of the pulpit preachers for the Church of Christ in Whitesboro. In 1965, he was a charter member of the Hillcrest Church of Christ, where he served faithfully as a Deacon and Elder for 38 years. He taught Bible classes, served on numerous committees, lead mission trips and worked with all aspects of the church’s ministry.

He is survived by his sister, Barbara Langham of Hurst; son, Curtis Williams and wife, Judy of Bellaire, TX; daughter, Debbie Scott and husband, Mike of Oklahoma City; son, Wes Williams and wife, Cindi of Grapevine; grandchildren: James Scott and wife, Claire of Oklahoma City; Jared Scott and wife, Jessica of Oklahoma City; Amy Saunders and husband, Brad of Dubai, UAE; Josh Williams of Grapevine; Kim Jordan of Carmel; great-grandchildren: Ben, Ella Klas and Reese Scott, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Coy Lee Simmons of Ft. Worth, and his loving wife of 67 years.

The family would like to give special thanks to Bobbie Mayfield and Earlyne McCage for their loving care of our father. Also, a special thanks to Home Hospice, Lynda Sandmann, and Sally Bigley for their dedicated service to our family.