ATLANTA — Franklin Williams, age 67, of Americus, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. A native of Douglas, he was born Oct. 11, 1950, the son of late Woodrow and Hazel Williams. Frankie was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association, Americus Kiwanis, Bullwhip Squadron, Permanent Executive Secretary of the Georgia Agriculture Aviation Association and a member of the National Agricultural Aviation Association. He managed the Americus Sumter County Airport and owned and operated Souther Field Aviation Inc. since 1984. He enlisted on his 18^th birthday and served his country until Oct. 21, 1971, as a U.S. Army Door Gunner Crew Chief of the 1^st of the 9^th Calvary.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at Souther Field Aviation, 223 Airport Road, with J.D Scarborough and the Rev. Win Kuck officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at Souther Field Aviation. Pallbearers include Eddie Williams, Ryan Smith, Paul Williams, Dusty McDonald, Jeremy Williams and Randy Wiggins. Honorary pallbearers include Paul Pearson, Patrick Humphrey, John Lott, Donavan Ferrell, Robert Sturgeon, Dalton Dodson, Gene (Bubba) Wiggins, David Grant, Ron Everidge, Edd Anthony and Ignacio (Nacho) Aguero. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675; Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Home, P.O. Box 1000,  Stockbridge GA 30281.

Survivors include his wife, Stephanie Williams of Americus; four daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie Anne Williams of Americus, Laura Brooke Ormes (Jeremiah) of Athens, Ashley Smith (Ryan) of Leslie and Candace McDonald (Dusty) of Americus; a son, Dalton Dodson of Americus; a sister, Diane Brown of Broxton; two brothers, Woodrow Williams of Dexter and Jack Williams of Douglas; four grandchildren, Isabella Grace Ormes, Hudson Ormes, Braxton Smith and Ma Kenzee Jo Smith; a number of nieces and nephews and his Souther Field family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dot Williams and two brothers, Roy Williams and Jerry Williams.

You may sign the online guest book and share your own special thoughts and memories by visiting www.greghancockfuneralchapel.com

Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of these arrangements.