FAYETTEVILLE - US Army Maj. Gibson Williams [Retired], 89, of Fayetteville departed this earth on his last cruise Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from the NC State Veterans Home.

Major Williams was a native of Clement, Sampson County, NC. He was one of twelve children, including 3 sets of twins. He had a twin sister. After escaping from the life on the farm, he joined the Army and traveled all over the world and successfully avoided returning to farm life. On his travels he was lucky enough to be stationed in Texas and even luckier when he met his future wife, Sally Gatlin, there. Since she wanted to escape picking cotton in the hot Texas summer, they married and proceeded to continue traveling and living around the USA and Europe. Major Williams was also lucky to travel to and return from other exotic places like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. They raised a series of dogs [dachsunds, which we never understood], three wonderful daughters and an okay son who he insisted on describing as "brilliant with several graduate degrees" much to his son's embarrassment. They retired to Fayetteville where there were no farms or cotton fields.

Despite having to leave school after the 7th grade in WWII, he returned to college after retirement and obtained two college degrees and was a proud graduate of Fayetteville State University and the only college graduate among his siblings. As an official college graduate, he was happy to pontificate on anything and everything as long as you would sit still and listen. This gave him years of enjoyment.

Together they enjoyed their 11 grandchildren who they believed, correctly, are even more wonderful than their children. Gibson was privileged to enjoy meeting his great granddaughter who all agree is the most wonderful one yet.

Visitation will be 11AM-Noon Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Jernigan-Warren Funeral home. A private burial ceremony will be held.

Gibson was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sally Gatlin Williams. He is survived by son, William Williams and wife Diane of Baton Rouge, La.; three daughters, Sharon W. Lewis and husband Ken of Fayetteville, Carol W. Tenoschok and husband Matt of Kennesaw, Ga., and Kathy W. White and husband Jim of Fayetteville; and 11 grandchildren, Rebecca, Allison, Joe, Kenly, Debbie, Kate, Mary, Chip, Matthew, Valerie and Mary Beth; and 1 great granddaughter, Savannah.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer's Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh, NC 27612.