Gene was born on September 27, 1936, and passed after a peaceful night in the early morning hours of October 7, 2021, at his little cabin where he lived next to Brad and Cissy, along with his faithful dog, Gus. Gene was born in San Saba, Texas, to David Andrew Williams and Beulah Lucille Carmichael Williams.
He was a member of San Saba’s First Baptist Church. Gene was part of the “Mighty Mites” football team in 1949 where they went on to win the first ever “Milk Bowl.” Some of his teammates included Kenneth Crim, Gerald Johnson, Jimmy Gage, Billy McHorse, Eddie Ragsdale, and Reavis Taylor, most of which remained lifelong friends. He graduated from San Saba High School in 1955 and joined the Army in 1956, where he served as part of the 124th Field Artillery Machine Gun Battalion, stationed at that time in Ft. Huachuca Arizona. He loved to tell about doing maneuvers on the back side of John Wayne’s ranch in Arizona. "Dad said he got up every morning looking for the 'Duke.' He was a huge fan."
Gene married Luene Lord December 7, 1962, in Austin, Texas. He worked for Goodyear in Lampasas where they lived, then later moved into the construction field where he spent the rest of his career. He was a builder and loved his craft. He spent his professional career remodeling and rebuilding government housing on military bases all across the United States. Dad loved Ray Jones Handmade Boots from Lampasas and always tried to wear them out dancing the night away, sometimes with his lifelong friend, Anita Miles.
He was a huge Dallas Cowboy fan from the start to the very last, missing very few games. “We left them once in the 4th quarter to go quail hunting one year because it looked like they were beat. We got to Cherokee and on the radio, here it came - Roger Staubach had thrown the legendary 'Hail Mary' pass to Drew Pearson and beat Minnesota. We pulled over and cried.” 17-14 Cowboys! A quiet and gentle soul with a quick wit, he was very easy to be around and will be missed by many.
He is survived by his son, Brad and wife, Cissy Williams; grandson, Ross Williams, all of San Saba; sister, Alice Jane Allen of San Saba; brothers: Charles (Dodie) Williams of Burnet, and Mike (Martha) Williams of San Angelo; sister-in-law, Mary Williams of Burnet; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave & Lucille Williams, and brother, Jerry Williams.