Obituary of Franklin Williams

Franklin Williams, son of the late Hall Williams and Jessie Mae Brown Williams, was born November 20, 1951 in Shreveport, LA. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at West Chapel Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA. Frank graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1969 and later attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA where he studied Commercial Art. He later continued his studies of Fine Arts at Methodist College and Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, NC. He pursued his degree in Fine Arts at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.

He was drafted into the United States Army in May of 1971 and completed Airborne training in Fort Benning, GA. During his military career, Fort Bragg became his adopted home. He served as an 82nd Airborne paratrooper, combat engineer, and medic. He proudly served his country for 22 years within the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Special Operations Command, and the XVIII Airborne Corps until his retirement from military service in 1993.

Frank was employed with the Federal government for 23 years. In his tenure, he held the positions of Military Illustrator, Audio Visual Specialist, Assistant Art Director and Senior Visual Information Specialist. During his illustrious career, he initiated and created image driven concepts designed to promote military identity, history, mission, and symbolism.

Frank managed creative visual designs for the 82d Airborne Division Headquarters Ridgeway Lobby, 82d Airborne Division Soldier Support Center, the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group Command (ADACG), 82d Airborne Division Coffee House, the Fort Bragg Installation Transportation main offices, Directorate of Logistics Central Issuing Facility, National Airborne Day, the BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) Program, and the 16th Military Police Brigade Headquarters.

Along with his fellow team members, Frank designed several exhibits for the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC, which was the winner of the 2013 and 2015 John Wesley Powell Prize from the Society for History in the Federal Government. His permanent exhibits at the museum include: The Battle of Dak To exhibit (2015), James “Nick” Rowe POW exhibit (2016), and the Korean War Gallery (2014).

After retirement, Frank returned home to Shreveport to spend time with his family. In 2016, he participated in the Southern University Museum of Art Shreveport (SUMAS) exhibit, ‘A Salute to Veterans’. Frank was featured as a KTBS Hometown Patriot in 2018.

Frank was a giving soul who loved his family and friends unconditionally. He enjoyed every aspect of life. His smile and personality could easily illuminate any room where he was present. Frank’s passion was art and creative design. His inspiration for art came from his mother and grandmother. They cultivated the spiritual sensibilities of his God-given talent for artistic expression. They insisted that he kept his focus on God and accept His spiritual guidance as part of his growth as an artist.

Frank received over 32 national and regional awards for his works in Fine Arts.

Frank transitioned into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father on April 10, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents Hall and Jessie Mae Williams, grandparents Curtis L. Brown and Robert Lee Gilbert Brown, and aunt Lessie Mae Dillard.

Precious memories will be cherished by his sister, Karen W. Patterson (Stanley) and brother, Donnie Ray Williams (Ann), both of Shreveport, LA; half-aunt Vera Brown of Las Vegas, NV; longtime friend, classmate, and fellow local artist Jesse Pitts. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.