Mr. Thomas House Williams, age 77, resident of Van Buren County, Tennessee at the time of his death, died at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital Friday, September 10, 2021 after a short illness while surrounded by loved ones and family, including the love of his life - wife of 32 years berki Alan Stepp.

Thomas was born April 26, 1944 in Poukeepsie, New York to the late Tommie Cyserona House and Turner Bliss Williams. Tom was a world traveler, having proudly served his country with honor for 30 years in the United States Navy, concluding his naval career as a Torpedo Man Chief.

Along with Jim, his business partner who was more like a son, Mr. Williams was owner/operator of an over the road trucking business from 1996 to 2007 when his career was abruptly ended when he was run over as a pedestrian by a tractor trailer. Thomas, always looking for the good and positive in any situation, became known for "floating balloons" and found great satisfaction in attending his church, First Baptist Church of Sparta - singing in the choir, regaling his friends with Navy and trucking stories and jokes, and helping anyone who needed assistance in any way that he could. He was an active volunteer and member of the American Legion Post #207 Spencer, Tennessee - anything to do with service, from washing dishes to painting ceiling vents. Thomas was especially good with water (Navy/ocean) and could clean a kitchen or bathroom to perfection!

Nothing rattled Tom. When faced with a dilemma or crisis, the first words out of his mouth were always "are we taking on water or are we on fire?" Those two questions seemed to always put the situation in perspective.

Those questions undoubtedly saved Tom's life, and many others on May 17, 1987 when the USS Stark, FFG-31 became the first casualty of terrorism when attacked in the Persian Gulf. The fires and loss of life were horrific and would have been much worse except for the constant training the military participates in. At the time of the attack, Chief Williams was serving on the USS Conyngham DDG-17 and had in fact trained for such an event with the USS Stark. The USS Conyngham (affectionately named "the Gus boat") had just been patrolling the area where the attack occurred and pulled into port for some well deserved r&r for the crew. Instead, they were called into action to save a sister ship and were the first on the scene - fighting to keep the Stark afloat and save their fellow shipmates for three long days before any other assistance arrived. 37 sailors lost their lives and 21 were injured.

Heroes aren't born; they are created when ordinary people choose to keep at their assigned task or job in spite of personal costs or consequences to themselves .

Duty over self . In a nutshell, that was Thomas.

Tom's experiences in the Navy, and in life, helped to prepare him for his final battle during recent days. The battle was short but fierce. As test results and reality became clear that Tom was fighting a battle that he could not win, he chose the point at which he honorably withdrew from the battle of life. One may wonder ...  how in the world does a man find the courage to choose to walk away from life, loved ones and the desires of self?  For Thomas, that would be the deep and abiding faith that he possessed and lived.

A quiet faith. One he didn't talk about, but rather lived. The assurance and confidence that we are not alone, that there is an avatar on our side, a comforter to guide us on our journey to finally see and meet our maker - our awesome God, the Alpha and Omega.

Thomas is preceded in death by his elder brother Turner Bliss Williams, Jr., his parents Turner Bliss Williams & Tommie Cyserona Williams and former spouse Sherri Robilard Williams, mother to Lauren Alicia.

Thomas is Survived By Wife of 32 years berki Alan Stepp

Mother-in-law: Joanne B. Nielson

Sister-in-law: R.L. Stepp

Former Spouse & mother of 3 children: Diane Davis Williams

Daughter & her family: Regina Michelle Oleksinski, husband Mike & their children Sarah Elizabeth & Davis Michael

Son & his family: Jeffrey Edward Williams, wife Melissa & their children James Thomas, Elizabeth Rachel, Joshua Michael

Daughter & her family: Nicole Bliss (Criss) Saxton, husband Dudley Warren & their children Jay Criss & Parker Saxton

Daughter & her family: Lauren Alicia Williams & her children Jason Anthony Williams & Zoei Anne Williams

Favorite Nephews: Chad Hamilton Williams & spouse Alicia; Lance Stuart Williams, spouse Brooke & their children Lance Stuart Williams II & Leslie Anna Williams

Special Longtime Friend: Linda Rita Smith Jones, mother to Chad & Lance Williams

Former spouse: Linda

Once in a while a loving family relationship is created out of thin air among a group of people who are not related by blood, but rather by faith/lifestyle/choice.That is the relationship among many members of this family who are not blood. Some friends and family do not understand how this can be and question the veracity. The Bible makes reference to a relationship that "is closer than a brother" - that is the friendship and reality between husband Jim Williams and his wife Grace (Sandy) and Tom Williams and his wife berki. They've become family where there once was none. The same situation exists with blended families such as ours. Former spouses and children become close and loving with a current spouse. Unusual, highly unlikely, but it works for the family unit. The life Thomas House Williams lived is a demonstration of what is possible in a positive manner if we will only "float those balloons."

Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with Mr. Williams' cremation and a Memorial Service will be conducted 2pm Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Sparta, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 1pm-2pm Saturday at the church. JD Davis and Brad Walker will officiate. Military Honors will be presented by the Veterans' Honor Guard and American Legion Post #207 Spencer, Tennessee.