Paul (Red) Williams

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul "Red" Williams, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who left this world on August 18, 2026, at the age of 82. Born on September 2, 1943, in the humble town of Loftin Levee, Paul was the beloved son of Agnes and Mike Williams. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, L.G. and Jim (Sam); his sisters, Lillian (Jane) Neely and Virginia (Sug) Ruffin; and his first wife of 53 years, Barbara Richardson Williams. Paul is survived by his devoted wife, Ann, who stood by his side through the joys and challenges of life. He leaves behind a legacy of love and wisdom through his children: his son, Tim Williams, and wife Jenny of Union Grove, Wisconsin; his daughters, Belinda Self and her husband Bobby of Pennington; and Diane Shipley of Tuckerman. Paul's heart was filled with pride for his five grandchildren: Tara Self Williams (Sy) of Tuckerman, Derek Self of Weiner, Will Shipley of Boston, Massachusetts, and David Shipley (Brittany) of Mount Pleasant. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Gentrye and Ross Williams of Tuckerman, and Peyton, Maddox, and Drake Self of Weiner. Paul shared a special bond with Ann’s son, Mark Dawson (Tina), her grandchildren, Marcus Wallis (Ashton), Aggie, and Ansley Dawson, and her great-grandchildren, Avery and Case Wallis, all of whom he cherished deeply. Paul's early years were spent working alongside his father and brother Jim on the family farm. After his father's retirement, Paul embarked on a career at Norandal, where he worked diligently until his own retirement. In his later years, Paul found immense joy in raising Boer goats, eagerly sharing this passion with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid coon hunter with a passion for sports of all kinds, Paul was known for his love of westerns and his habit of keeping up with current events on CNN. His red hair and warm smile were his trademarks, and his presence lit up every room he entered. Though baptized by his son-in-law on his birthday in 2013, Paul found solace and community at Midway Church of Christ, where he attended regularly until the onset of COVID. Paul's memory will be honored and celebrated at a service on August 20, 2026, at 18:17 at Dillinger’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice, reflecting the generosity and kindness that Paul embodied throughout his life. Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in knowing that Paul's legacy of love, laughter, and devotion will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.