Vernon Williams

CAPTAIN Vernon T. (Tom) Williams

May 17, 1949 - March 28, 2025

A native of Springfield, MO. Tom grew up on a small farm with his parents Pete and Helen, and his younger sister Nancy. He graduated from Willard High School, Willard, MO where he lettered in baseball and track. He attended Southwest Missouri State and made the varsity baseball team as a freshman.

During the Vietnam War he enlisted in the Navy in July 1968. Three years later he married the love of his life Christy Cook of Albuquerque, NM in 1971 and were married for over 53 years. During those wonderful years they adopted and raised numerous four-legged children.

CAPTAIN Williams' illustrious Naval career spanned over 33 years and he was promoted through the ranks from E-1 to O-6 through GOD ordained opportunities. He received training in naval nuclear propulsion while enlisted, then through the Naval Enlisted Scientific Educational Program completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico. He was commissioned as an Ensign and would later complete a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications Systems Management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

His ship tours included the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN 599), USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657) serving in Strategic Weapons billets, and the USS ORION (AS 18) serving as Repair Officer.

Tom's industrial tours included Charleston Naval Shipyard, Trident Refit Facility Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He served as Ship Superintendent, Repair Officer, Project Manager, and Operations Officer. During 1997 he assumed command of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire. He was in command on September 11, 2001.

His civilian work experience included Atlantic Marine, Mobile as Vice President, Operations, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN as Director of Utilities. In 2016 he completed certification as a John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer.

Tom's spiritual growth and professional life was a testament of GOD's amazing grace. Tom accepted Christ as his Savior at the young age of eight. Through his leadership he was privileged and challenged to lead hundreds of young men and women in their late teens and early 20s while in the Navy. He was dedicated to helping them develop and grow to prepare for the life ahead of them. Tom loved to read, especially books on leadership, history, and biographies.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 3rd at Mobile Memorial Funeral Home from 5 PM to 7 PM. A private graveside service to be held at a later date. The family request in lieu of flowers donations maybe made to CBMC (Christian Business Men's Connection) contact Travis Toth- ttoth@cbmc.com