Dan Richard Williams, Sr.

Dan Williams, Sr., age 78, of Gorman, died Monday, March 28, 2022, at Avalon Memory Care in Garland, Texas.

The family will host a visitation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Family and friends are invited to a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Chas Shira, pastor of First Baptist Church in Coleman, officiating. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.

He was born Dan Richard Williams on November 11, 1943, in Lynwood, California to David Henry Williams and Anna Greer Williams. He grew up in Coleman and graduated from Coleman High School in 1962. Dan married Cecelia Bourland on April 12, 1963, at the First Baptist Church in Coleman. Dan then attended and was the first graduating class of Angelo State University in San Angelo in May 1969. He became a pilot, earning a Private Pilot license and Commercial license in 1969, Flight Instructor licenses in 1971 & 1972.  He flew for GTE in San Angelo from 1973 to 1995, being promoted to Captain in 1974 and completing his career at GTE as Aviation Manager.  In 1995 he started work at Flight Safety in Tucson, Arizona as a Pilot Trainer and then worked for Bombardier Aircraft in Tucson from 1996 to 2003 as a Test Pilot and then Manager of Pilot Testing.  In 2004, he and Cecelia retired to their ranch in Gorman, Texas.

Dan had a love for life and enjoyed many hobbies. Those hobbies include hunting, fishing, flying airplanes, tending his cattle at the ranch, catching up with old friends, and spending time with his grandchildren. He loved his family and was proud of them all.

Preceding Dan in death are his parents, David and Anna Williams; his father-in-law Perry Bourland; and brother-in-law Bryan Bourland.

He is survived by his wife, Cecelia Williams of Gorman; two children, Dan Richard “Rick” Williams, Jr. of Gorman, and Leah Powell and husband Scott of Sunnyvale; daughter-in-law Michelle Williams of Surprise, AZ; his grandchildren, Madison Williams, Parker Williams, and Conner Powell; his brother, David H. Williams, Jr. and wife Jean of Brownwood; his mother-in-law, Ileta Bourland of Gorman; brother-in-law Aaron Bourland and wife Becky of Lubbock; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested in memory of Dan to the donor’s charity of choice.

Remembrances and condolences can be expressed to the family via the virtual guestbook on Dan’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Williams family.