Donald Gaston Williams

Donald Gaston “Don” Williams , 79, of Rock Hill, passed away Monday, February 25, 2019 at Carolinas Medical Center in Pineville. He was born December 23, 1939 in Rock Hill, SC, son of the late Dallas H. and Ethel Grace Blackmon Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Heyward Williams and his beloved grandmother, Nettie P. Blackmon.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Phyllis Beck Williams; son, Russell Williams (Tiffany) of Clearfield, Utah; two daughters, Tiffany Davis (Terry) and Colette Bell, all of Rock Hill; two grandsons, Cody and Brady Davis; two granddaughters, Devon Rodriguez (Brandon) and Amber Bell (AJ); a great grandson, Silas Rodriguez; and two sisters, Cyndi Barnier (Bill) of Ridgeland, SC and Mary Belle Ayers of Rock Hill.

Don proudly served his country in the US Air Force. He graduated from Winthrop University and attended the University of South Carolina. Don spent many years serving people at First Federal Bank and taught at York Technical College. As a teenager, he worked as an ambulance driver for Greene Funeral Home. While at Greene, he learned the art of arranging flowers, which he dearly enjoyed. He also began to play the piano and organ for funeral services.

Giving back to the community was a key element to Don’s life; holding many offices in the local and state level organizations. He was the president of the Optimist Club, President of the March of Dimes (local and state), Commander of the American Legion Post 34 and the financial officer for the VFW Post 2889. Don was the founder of North Central Family Medical Center. He was a member of the York County Medical Board Advisory Council, the York County Veteran’s Council and the Elks Club for over 50 years. He served for 35 years in the Boy Scouts of America at the district and council level and served as the bishop for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Catawba Ward. He was also a member of the Stake Presidency and the Stake High Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Charlotte Stake.

Don’s passion in life was genealogy, tracing his family tree back to the year 280. Music was also an integral part of his life. He was very active in the church choir (singing and accompanying on the piano and organ) and spent many hours entertaining family and friends tickling the ivories. His love of music led him to sing in the band Harbor Lights with Dave Angel, Sr. and he enjoyed performing wedding ceremonies for numerous couples. A nature lover at heart, it was not uncommon for animals (tamed and wild) to come up to Don to be petted. He had many bird feeders in his yard and spent countless hours watching the birds feed and was a walking encyclopedia of all things related to birds. Reading western novels was another favorite pastime.

The family will receive friends 5:00 - 7:00 PM Friday, March 1, 2019 at Whitesell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, March 2, 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Catawba Ward located at 1989 Reservation Road in Rock Hill, SC 29730. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with military honors.

The family welcomes flowers.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.whitesellfuneralhome.net.

Whitesell Funeral Home of Rock Hill (803.980.7444) is assisting the family.