Colvin Edward Williams

Colvin Williams, 87, of Callahan, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 20, 1939, in Jesup, Georgia, he spent his early years in Brunswick, Georgia. On June 19, 1957, at just 18 years old, he answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force. That decision began a distinguished 26-year military career that would take him and his family across the United States and around the world. Meanwhile, he married the love of his life, Wydell Pruitt, in 1958 beginning a marriage and family that would span more than five decades until she passed away on April 13, 2011.

After completing basic training, his service took him to some remarkable places around the world including Castle Air Force Base in California, Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts, Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, Ubon Air Base in Thailand, Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. His service then took him overseas once again, to Camp New Amsterdam in the Netherlands, AFSOUTH in Naples, Italy, before completing his military career at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, retiring from the United States Air Force on June 30, 1983, after 26 years of honorable service to his country.

Retirement brought him to Grand Cane, Louisiana, where he lived from 1983 until 2003. He then moved to Jacksonville, Florida, before ultimately making Callahan, Florida, his home in 2005.

In addition to being a proud Airman, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was a man whose life was shaped by service, family, duty, and an adventurous spirit. His military career allowed him to experience places and cultures around the world, but no matter where his service took him, family remained at the heart of his life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wydell Pruitt Williams, who passed away on April 13, 2011. On July 10, 2015, he married Shirley Alvstad, who shared the later years of his life with him.

He leaves behind his children Sandy Newbold and Rick Williams (Lisa), grandchildren Brian Williams (Shannon), Lexi Berry (Matthew), Mason Newbold, Grace Ann Williams, Jayna Williams, great grandchildren Dorian Williams and Lena Berry, and many friends who will remember him for his strength, his dedication, his stories, and the life he lived in service to his country and the people he loved.

His legacy is one of 26 years of honorable military service, a lifetime of devotion to his family, and a journey that took him from a small Georgia hometown to bases and assignments around the world.

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever honored.

Rest peacefully, Dad. Your service is complete.