Claude Ray Williams

Mr. Claude Ray Williams, Jr. a resident of Dothan, AL passed away Saturday, March 26, 2022. He was 59.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 7, 2022 at the Dothan City Center at 11:00 AM.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM at the Dothan City Civic Center.

Claude Ray Williams was born on April 25, 1962, at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York to the late Claude Williams and Betty Woods-Williams. 

Claude graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and attended two semesters at Kingsborough Community College before enlisting in the United States Army.  He served in the Armed Forces for a period of 9 years as part of the 101st Airborne Division and the 3rd Infantry Division.  While in the Army he completed tours in Germany, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Bliss, Texas; jungle training in the Panama Canal Zone, and a 7 month tour in the Persian Gulf.  He retired with an Honorable discharge as a Persian Gulf War Veteran having earning the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal and Army Achievement Medal among other service awards.   

Upon his retirement  from the military, he continued his Higher Education graduating with a Criminal Justice Degree from Troy University at Dothan. He moved to West Palm Beach Florida and worked as a Child Protective Investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. While in West Palm Beach he also enjoyed coaching Female Basketball at Palm Beach Gardens High School and various youth basketball teams. He enjoyed being a positive remodel to youths in his basketball programs and retained contact with many of them until their adulthood.
 

Upon his return to Dothan, Claude enjoyed traveling, fishing adventures to which he introduced his family and friends to as well and riding his motorcycle. He loved and valued his family. He also cherished his friends and included them into the family circle.  He enjoyed cooking for everyone and would tell everyone not to give away his recipes. He was also a diehard fan of the Florida Gators and the New York Giants.

Claude leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Crystal Williams, sister Karen Williams and brother Claudio Williams; ten children: Courteney Williams, Andre Williams, Cameron Williams, Dominique Moore, Emon Moore, Emoni Moore, Rafael Bigham, David Peterman, Jeffrey Bigham, Navina Bigham; 3 granddaughters: Sydney Williams-Joseph with whom he had a special bond since birth, Ta-Niyah Peterman, Aubrey McKnight, Sinclair Moore; 5 grandsons: Dylan Moore, Channing Bigham, Kaiden Bigham, Braylon Bigham, Tylan Peterman;1 great granddaughter: Avery Grace Peterman; Aunts: Essie (Frank) Lampkin,  Jeannette (Dennis) Ellis, Arlene Woods, Diane Thorne, Ethel (Michael) Williams; Uncles: Lathan and Joseph Woods; Great Aunts: Bernolia Roberts, Othalene Pines; 7 brothers-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law and a host of other loving relatives and devoted friends. 

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