David Brian Williams

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David Brian Williams, 61 of Brookland left his family’s loving arms to be with his Lord and Savior January 20, 2023 at St. Bernards Hospital, where he came into this world on July 16, 1961. His parents were Gordon Ray Leach and Fannie Sue Warner. David didn’t get to meet his father in this world, but Gordon was there to greet him.
David wore many hats in his life. His first job was at age 8 shining shoes and working in his stepdad’s small engine shop. As a teen he learned construction, ginning, farming and welding. He signed up for the army at age 17, there he earned his expert marksman, his special forces green beret, along with many other honors. Coming out of the army he went into the National Guard Reserves. He had several side businesses including tree trimming and concrete finisher. He worked for Arkansas Glass for 18 years, where he became a journeyman machine operator and ended his career as assistant forming manager. He worked for Col. Starling Witt Wood as his go to man for the Colonel’s many properties. David retired from Frito Lay after 20 years. His friends and family knew him as a lifelong master jokester. His last joy was master carpenter for his dream home. He was a Jack of all trades and master of all of them. As David would say, “I’m just a working man.”
David was preceded in death by loving grandmother, Rhoda Jewel Henderson, he was ‘the apple of her eye’. Mother, Sue Warner, father, Gordon Leach, sister Tina Smith, uncles, Chuck Warner and Malcolm Leach.
Survivors: loving wife, Susan Rackley Williams, whom he cherished, daughter Tara (Chris) Reed, son, Josh (Shayna) Williams, step daughter Secret (Tiffany) Doss, step son, Lane Sharp, granddaughters, Cadence Reed, Shelby, Eden and Haven Williams, grandsons, Caleb Williams and Henley Doss, brothers, Jack Williams, Ted and James Leach, aunts. Doris Warner and Trudy Brown, uncles, Dewayne and Ron Leach, and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home.
The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 28, 2023 at Emerson Funeral Home with Rev. Elmer Ash officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Log Cemetery with the active pallbearers being Ted Leach, James Leach, David Carter, TJ Cline, Randy Bryant, and Gary Wrinkle. The honorary pallbearers are Chris Reed, Caleb Williams, Lane Sharp, David Todd, Shan Mosbey, Josh Cofield, Dave Blair, Cole Williams, AC Williams, Perry Jared, and Jayme Gordon.
In lieu of flowers please consider these charities that were close to David’s heart: St. Jude, Salvation Army, NoKidHungry.org and usvets.org (for homeless vets).