Obituary of Eugene Alton Williams

Eugene “Scoot” Alton Williams, Sr. age 82, retired 29 years ago to LaBelle, FL, from Broward County, FL suddenly passed away of Sudden Cardiac Arrest on Saturday morning, January 2, 2021. Eugene “Scoot” Alton Williams, Sr. was born Monday, September 12, 1938 in Sylvania, Georgia, the seventh child of the late Benjamin Ferrel Williams and Minnie Lee Fail. I was born to a Georgia sharecropper one of ten children we traveled between Georgia and Florida; it was by God’s grace we made it. Yes, I picked cotton, tobacco, plowed fields, gathered corn, pulled peanuts, guided mules for logging, and collected turpentine anything we needed to do as a family to survive. We were poor, but we had something more valuable than all the money in the world, our love for God and one another kept us close. Some of my favorite things grew out of these hard times, boiled peanuts, cold watermelon, fried fish, fried cornbread, pork & rice, singing with the family or effing. In 1945 our family didn’t make the trip back to Ft Lauderdale. The old cabin didn’t have a good fireplace that winter and we nearly froze to death in Georgia; the only thing keeping us alive was love & blankets. In 1947 our family moved the final time to Old Pompano (better known as Dog Patch). Grandpa Fail built us a home next to my oldest brother Coy’s family where I lived until 1958. When I was 15 years old, my dad passed away from stomach cancer. I had to quit school to help my mom support the family. Our family continued to work together at the packing house in Pompano, at the diary in SW Broward and we also worked together as surveyors for McLaughlin Engineering which I retired from after 25 years. During my years I loved to play golf until my old bones could no longer enjoy the game. Winning first place on our bowling team – our secret “ CHILI”. Collecting my piles of rocks and little trinkets, all of them have stories, which I have told you many times. I spent lots of time making up many jokes while riding my mower. I loved country music. Since there was no money for formal music training, I taught myself. I watched my brother George’s band “The Glades Ramblers” when the show was over, I would try to put my fingers where he had, teaching myself to play the “Dobro” and later the steel guitar. I have picked a few with my dear friend Sam Thompson, been on stage with Roy Acuff and Johnny Cash, played at the Orange Blossom Opry, The Barn (TN) and invited to play with many a professional Nashville musician. I recorded my own CD’s including my signature train whistle so many of you could enjoy our favorite songs for many years. Now to the little group of players that come to my house every Wednesday night, I am humbled to have lived and laughed with you. May we once again play together on those golden streets in heaven. Thank you, Violet, for allowing me to have 40 good years of adventures. I love you with all my heart. Barbara, Jr and Danny carry on and please make me proud, guide my grandchildren in the values of our family. Not many families have the heritage or close relationship as our family; we have good memories camping at Fish Eating creek, Smokey mountains, and Georgia trips, we are blessed. Remember to pray for each other, keep up with the family reunions, teach them how we have overcome the struggles to realize our dreams. Love one another beyond their faults, until we are all strolling over heaven. I’m Home. Yes, Mom let me get away with more because I was her blue-eyed baby boy. Scoot was preceded in death by his first wife of 20 years Dianna Ackerman Williams; Grandson – Christopher Day; half-sibling Benjamin Coy Williams, Sr; Siblings Richard “Dick” Esselstyne Williams; John Lee Williams Sr; George Elisha Williams; Ruby Lee Williams, Margaret Rosalyn Williams and Laura Elizabeth “Beth” Williams. Survivors include his wife of 40 years Violet Greer Thompson Williams; Children – Barbara (Michael) Day Sr and Eugene Williams Jr of Boca Raton, FL; Daniel (Kimberly) Thompson of Maryville, TN . Sisters Elaine (Larry) Efird of Deland, FL and Darlene (Chuck) Miller of Anthony, FL. Nine Grandchildren – Michael (Sarah) Day; Dianna Day; Jack Day; Eugene Day; Stephanie Day; Alex Day; Jacob (Crystal)Thompson; Austin Thompson. Ten Great- Grandchildren; and a vast number of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Funeral Service begins at 1:00pm January 23rd, 2021 at Ortona Cemetery Gazebo located at 8898 W State Road 78, Glades County, FL – Internment immediately following. Officiating will be Pastor David E Seuis. Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Scoot's Barn. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home.