Burt Williams, Jr.

Burt Williams, Jr., a resident of Dothan, died unexpectedly at University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, following a long battle with liver disease. A memorial service will be Friday in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church at 11:00 am with Dr. James B. Sanders, III, and the Reverend Lynn Smilie Nesbitt officiating. Family visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the Church Parlor. Byrd Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1380 West Main Street, Dothan, Alabama, 36301, and designated for “The Settlement” Group Home at Grimes or the Music Ministry of First United Methodist Church. Burt was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 6, 1950. He moved to Dothan in 1954 and has since been proud to call it home. He graduated from Auburn University with a B. S. degree in Business Administration in 1972, and later went back to Auburn on a teaching fellowship while studying for his MBA degree which he received in 1976. He was a founding owner of Wiregrass International, Inc., in Abbeville, Alabama, about 20 years ago. The company moved to Headland several years later and Burt remained an integral part of that business. An organist and pianist, Burt enthusiastically served as interim and substitute organist at First United Methodist Church over the years and was a faithful member of the choir for many years. He also served for some time as an FUMC junior high counselor. Burt loved theatre and was a vital part of Southeast Alabama Community Theatre, having served on the Board of Directors for many years as well as President for two terms and Treasurer for one term. He was most well-known in the community theatre group for his stage management expertise as well as several “cameo” appearances he made from time to time. Burt, known for his generous heart, treasured his family and friends and was always willing and ready to help anyone in need—both financially and with his time and talents. He was a member of the Wiregrass Museum of Art, the Humane Society, the Cultural Arts Center, and SEACT, but his loving heart belonged most to the children of “The Settlement” Group Home in Grimes where he was a living embodiment of Santa Claus in his generosity and care. Burt is predeceased by his father, Burt Williams, who died in 1973, and by a faithful dog Missy who died in 1999. Survivors include his mother, Mildred Williams, and his sister, Jane Williams, of Dothan. He is also survived by an aunt, Virginia Williams, of Pascagoula, Mississippi; cousins Tommy and Cecilia Thornhill of Atlanta, Georgia; Jimmy and Wanda Williams of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Carey and Ann Williams, Harry and Tommy Williams, and Jon and June Williams of Columbia, Mississippi; Sylvia and Fred Newsome of New Hebron, Mississippi, and Sujane Williams of Austin, Texas.