Ramon Williams, 81, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010. Our “Big Ray” fought cancer with bravery, grace and an amazing determination.

Ramon was born in Milwaukee, Wis., to Tillman and Cora (Erbe) Williams on Feb. 19, 1929, and was raised in Caldwell, Idaho.

Ramon is survived by his wife, Anne Stiles; his daughters: Pamela Santiago, Patricia Williams, Tina Weitz and husband, Tim Weitz, Ramona Williams and Melanie Williams and husband, Scott Jones; his grandchildren: Gabriella, Marc and Steve Santiago, Coree Carver and William Jones; and seven great-grandchildren: Alden, Devon, Thayne, Conrad, Sondra, Katelyn and Nicole. We will miss him dearly.

Chief Williams proudly served in the U.S. Army and retired in 1975, after 28 years of service. Among his awards were the Master Army Aviator Badge, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver and one Bronze Service Star. His years in the U.S. Army included tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Panama and Fort Hood, Texas. He retired as a military helicopter pilot at the rank of CW4 in 1975 and has lived in Austin and McMahan, Texas, since that time.

Ramon was a real estate broker in Austin for many years. He also worked for Pumpkin Air and Air Logistics for 13 years as lead pilot and base manager, flying helicopters to the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2000, he moved to McMahan, Texas, and started a pecan orchard and gourd farm. He returned to Austin in 2008. Ramon valued many wonderful friendships and continued these friendships throughout his life attending Caldwell High School Class of 1947 reunions, and reunions with associations of fellow servicemen, the Otter-Caribou Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the Lockhart VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, DeLita Pearl Cole; and the mothers of his children, Teresa Delgado and Doris Burton.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Austin, the Heart Hospital, Seton Hospital, Texas Oncology, Austin EMS, and Dr. Richard White and many others for their care and support.

Ramon requested donations in lieu of flowers to Fisher House, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 (www.fisherhouse.org). Fisher House assists military families.

Graveside funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2010, at Austin Memorial Park located at 2800 Hancock Drive in Austin. Pallbearers were the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas, 78705; (512) 452-8811.