Dr. R. Winston Williams, 86 of Sheffield, died Wednesday, September 8th, 2015 after an extended illness. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00-8:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Sheffield. The funeral service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Sheffield Oakwood Cemetery.
Winston was born January 16, 1929 in Jackson, Tennessee. He was a graduate of Jackson High School. He earned a B.S. from Lambuth University. He received a M.S. from Oklahoma State University and received his M. D. from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. He moved to Sheffield, Alabama in 1958 and began the practice of medicine in Colbert County. He served on the Board of Helen Keller Hospital for many years. He was one of the founders of Shoals Hospital and also served on the Board of Directors. He was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Helen Keller Hospital Foundation. Winston was active in his Church for 57 years and served his community through his involvement in numerous civic organizations.
Winston was preceded in death by his parents, James Wesley and Bertha Hopper Williams and a brother, Charles Wesley. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Phoebe Heaberg Williams. He is survived by their four sons, Jimmy (Angie), Mark (Becky), Bruce (Mary) and John (Celeste). He is also survived by his wife, Martha Bynum Williams, with whom he shared 12 years, and by his stepson Walter (Stephanie) Dunn. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren Megan (Tillman) Holloway, Wesley (Hannah) Williams, Robb (Morgan) Williams, Thomas (Mary Ellen) Williams, Lee Williams, Caroline Williams, Emma Williams, Dorothy Williams, Winston Williams, Virginia Williams, Graham Williams, Melissa Williams and 2 step grandchildren, Katie and Christopher Dunn. He also is survived by 7 great grandchildren. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time outdoors playing tennis, hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren.
Winston found his true mission in life in the practice of medicine. During his 41 years of practice he enjoyed working with the wonderful staff of nurses at each hospital, his fellow physicians, and the hospital administration. After retirement he continued to work in the Helen Keller Record Room where he made many friends. He considered it a privilege and an honor to treat his many patients. He developed lasting friendships with many of them over the years.
He died surrounded by his family having finished the race that God set before him and no doubt hearing, “well done my good and faithful servant”. Pall bearers will be his grandsons and step grandson. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and the community. Special thanks to Hospice of the Shoals and his caregivers from Home Instead. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Helen Keller Hospital Foundation and to First United Methodist Church of Sheffield.
