SFC Michael Lane Williams, United States Army, Ret.

SFC Michael Lane Williams, United States Army, Retired

Michael Williams was born July 16, 1961 in Waco, Texas and passed away September 10, 2010 in Temple, Texas at the age of 49, of injuries received in a motorcycle accident.

Michael graduated from Plano High School, where he was active in the ROTC, swim team and Color Guard.

Michael proudly serviced his country in the United States Army for twenty years, retiring in July 1999 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  He served in Bosnia, Germany and Korea.  His numerous decorations include the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

After his retirement, Michael worked for seven years for Tapestry Solutions, a company that provides computer software to the military.  During that time, he was in Kuwait for one year, in Iraq for two years and in Haiti for two months, supporting military operations.

Michael was a fan of the Texas Longhorns and loved riding his motorcycle.

Funeral services were held on September 15, 2010 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen, Texas.  In attendance were Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags to welcome the arriving family and friends.  The Riders then led the procession to the nearby Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery for interment with full military honors.

Welcoming the hearse carrying Michael’s flag draped casket were fifty American flags, lining the road in front of the committal shelter, blowing briskly in the Texas wind.  The Riders used those flags to form a line of flags around the shelter while the military honors were performed by the Army Honor Guard.

An Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  The Army bugler played taps.  The flag covering the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Michael’s dearly beloved wife, Brenda, on behalf of the President of the United States, a grateful nation and the United States Army, in thanks for his many years of dedicated service.

SFC Michael Williams was then laid to rest on the upper plain of the cemetery as the flag on the hill above flew at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three sons, two daughters, his father and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.