Ivan R. Williams passed away peacefully, August 24, 2022.
Ivan was born April 12, 1948 in West point, Mississippi but lived in the Huntsville area for the past 45 years.
Ivan’s beginnings were very humble, and many lessons of his life were learned through the struggle of making a life for himself, with little given easily and much to be earned through hard work. He briefly attended the University of Alabama on scholarship, until he was drafted to serve our country in the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he graduated from Mississippi State university with a B.A. in Sociology and a M.A. in Guidance and Counseling with honors. While the degrees were well deserved for his hard work, his best gift came in meeting the love of his life, Sharon at the library on campus. After a long courtship, and somehow hoodwinking her into marriage, they spent their lives raising their two children, Clint and Lauren, together.
Ivan worked for the Madison County School system for more than 30 years, where he helped many students learn the skills needed to succeed in their careers. An unlikely people person, Ivan cared for people deeply, and could identify with the struggles for people from all walks of life and provided a real life example of how good work ethic, coupled with will power and discipline could pay off in the long run.
His big heart was even more evident with his care and love for kids. Often accused of “never growing up”, Ivan was a big kid at heart and was very active in the lives of his kids, and many others. Ivan coached so many YMCA softball and basketball teams in the 80’s and 90’s, and celebrated many memories doing that, from climbing the backstop in Meridianville after a comeback season, to coaching from the tailgate of the truck after being ejected from the game, to multiple YMCA State Championships.
Ivan was often described as fun-loving, absolutely crazy, a jokester, loud, carefree, and always attacking life on one speed setting: All the Way Wide Open! An avid hunter and fisherman, also spent many hours doting on his grandkids, Scott, Whitney, Reid, Sophia (“Ray”), and Roman.
Ivan was kind, generous, and caring-always willing to share some of himself to help others get by, or achieve their goals. An active member of the Bridge Church, was very active in his faith and serving the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Bridge, 129 Spring farm Road Huntsville, AL 35811.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Berryhill Funeral Home from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Services will follow with Rev. Jimmy Brantley officiating. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery.
Ivan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Sharon Elaine Rigsby Williams, his parents, Ines and Daniel “Abel” Williams, and his brothers Danny Pennington and Virgil Williams.
He is survived by his children, Lauren Funderburg (Dirk) and Clint Williams; his grandkids, Scott Funderburg (Meg), Whitney Tate, Reid Tate, Sophia “Ray” Williams, and Roman Williams; his brothers, Clark Williams, Daniel “DA” Williams, James “Jimmy” Williams, and Joyner Williams; his sister, Jacinthia “Cynthia” Dees, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
