Don D. Williams

Don was born on October 7, 1925 to A.C. and Mayme (Kilpatrick) Williams in Beaver County, OK. He graduated from Abilene Christian Academy and was then drafted into the Army. He served his country during WWII and following his discharge went back to his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University in 1949 and his Master’s degree from Texas Tech University in 1955. On August 29, 1947 he married his beloved Yvonne McLeod. His life was dedicated to not only his family, raising five children but serving others in his profession, his community and his church. Don was the high school band director for Sudan and Olton for six years and was awarded the Sweepstakes Award from the Interscholastic League his last year at Olton. He entered the insurance business in 1955 as a full time agent with American Founders Life. He was production leader for this company from 1956-1960. He was awarded “Man of the Year Award” for this accomplishment. In 1961, Don opened an agency in Amarillo, and that year his agency qualified for the “New Agency of the Year Award”. He was Manager of Lubbock-Amarillo Agency for 16 years. He was a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table and served on the membership relations committee. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1968. In 1974, he was the recipient of his company’s Profession Growth Award. He received the Insurance Salesman Honor Award. He was past president of the Lubbock Association of Life Underwriters, State Practices Committee Chairman of the GAMA, and of the Lubbock Chapter of CLU. Don qualified for the National Quality Award for 24 years and the National Sales Achievement Award for 9 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Leader Round Table for 6 years and was a consistent qualifying member of the “Top Ten Club” and the President’s Council with American Founders. He was a member of Monterey Church of Christ where he served as an elder, teacher and musician. He was a speaker at numerous professional sales meetings. He also served as President of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Many received the benefits of his generosity. But most of all his greatest honor was that his children knew the Lord. In every aspect of his life he gave glory to God. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bonnie Ratts. Don is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Yvonne Williams; five children, Mike (Chris) Williams of Amarillo, Gail (Lynn) Alexander of Lubbock, Jean (Glynn) Ragland of Knoxville, TN, Timothy (Elizabeth) Williams of Lubbock, and Dona Owen of Lubbock; seventeen grandchildren, Laura Cockrell, Reagan Johnson, Taylor Williams, Jeanie Puckett, Jamie Selleck, Tye Jones, Joshua Jones, Eric Alexander, Jennifer Smith, Taylor Alexander, Michael Ragland, Christopher Ragland, Timothy Ragland, Alex Williams, Aaron Williams, Dylan Owen, and Daven Owen; 13 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Wayne Williams, and Bill Williams. Memorials are suggested to the Children’s Home of Lubbock, P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, Texas 79408.