Known for his dedication, his dependability and his friendly nature, former Jenkins County Sheriff and Bulloch County Sheriff's deputy Loren Cline “L.C.” Williams Jr. will be greatly missed, said friends of the man who called everyone "my buddy."
Williams, 72, died Tuesday at East Georgia Regional Medical Center of complications stemming from leukemia.
He made his mark in Jenkins County, leading the sheriff's department for 13 years before moving to a position with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department, working first for former sheriff Arnold Ray Akins, then under Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
"I've known Mr. L. C. since the early '70's," Anderson said. "We used to work with him when he was with Jenkins County and when he worked here for 19 years. He was a very loyal employee and a very dear friend."
Williams did a great deal of the transporting of inmates while he worked with the county sheriff's department and was always a jovial fellow, Anderson said. "We're going to miss him tremendously. He was kind of unique."
Williams, a Jenkins County native, returned to his home town upon discharge from the United States Army where he served during the Korean War.
He took a position with the Millen Police Department in 1962, and in 1969 he became a deputy sheriff with the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Department. A short time later, in 1972, he was elected sheriff of Jenkins County.
It was a good move for Bulloch County when he decided to join the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department, said former sheriff Arnold Ray Akins.
The two became close friends, he said. "He was as good a friend as I've ever had in my life, and as good an employee. Loyal, loyal, loyal."
Akins recalled a recent visit with Williams "on one of his good days, when he was feeling good," he said. No one else was with Williams, and he and Akins enjoyed watching a football game and reminiscing, he said.
One thing Akins remembers most about Williams was his strong work ethic.
"Work, work, work," he said. "And he never grumbled about it."
His dedication to work was reflected in numerous awards Williams received in his lifetime. He was honored by the Georgia Sheriff's Association with the Outstanding Service Award for his service in 1975-1985, and with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 1983 and 1984.
"From the very first, he was a lovable guy," said Bulloch County Deputy John Staten. "He called everybody 'my buddy.' He met no strangers, and everybody was, indeed, his buddy."
Williams' "word was his bond," he said. "If he told you he would do something for you, you didn't have to worry about it. There was no doubt in your mind he'd get it done for you."
Bulloch County Sheriff's Lt. Charlie Hendrix remembered playing softball against Williams' Jenkins County team. He also recalled working with Williams, and how dedicated he was to his job.
The two became very close, he said. "We became just like one - where you saw one, you saw the other."
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent-in-Charge John Edwards worked with Williams from when he was Jenkins County Sheriff. "He was very honest, hard working, and a God fearing man," he said. "His word was solid gold. He always had the best interest of the people at heart."
Williams retired last year, when his illness began taking its toll, Anderson said.
Although he began feeling poorly, Williams still tried to make it to work for a while, however. "He was a fighter," he said. "I can already tell you he will be missed by this department. He always kept things going, and would do anything for anybody."
"He was one of those people you will never forget," Staten said. "We're all going to miss him."
"He always wanted to chip in and be a part of it," Hendrix said. "He was just like Wilbur, just like Cook."
Hendrix referred to Wilbur Berry, a deputy killed in the line of duty a few years ago, and Billy Cook, another Bulloch County Sheriff's officer, also deceased.
Akins said he enjoyed his last visit with Williams. "I'll forever be grateful for it," he said. "I'm going to miss the old rascal."
Visitation for Williams will be held Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. John Waters and the Rev. Bill Brown officiating. Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Raymond Blackburn, Anthony Martin, Arnold Ray Akins, John Staten, Rudolph Becton, Wendell Turner, James Hopkins and Lynn Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers will be all law enforcement agencies.
Honor guard will be the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department and the Statesboro Police Department.
Williams, 72, died Tuesday at East Georgia Regional Medical Center of complications stemming from leukemia.
He made his mark in Jenkins County, leading the sheriff's department for 13 years before moving to a position with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department, working first for former sheriff Arnold Ray Akins, then under Sheriff Lynn Anderson.
"I've known Mr. L. C. since the early '70's," Anderson said. "We used to work with him when he was with Jenkins County and when he worked here for 19 years. He was a very loyal employee and a very dear friend."
Williams did a great deal of the transporting of inmates while he worked with the county sheriff's department and was always a jovial fellow, Anderson said. "We're going to miss him tremendously. He was kind of unique."
Williams, a Jenkins County native, returned to his home town upon discharge from the United States Army where he served during the Korean War.
He took a position with the Millen Police Department in 1962, and in 1969 he became a deputy sheriff with the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Department. A short time later, in 1972, he was elected sheriff of Jenkins County.
It was a good move for Bulloch County when he decided to join the Bulloch County Sheriff's Department, said former sheriff Arnold Ray Akins.
The two became close friends, he said. "He was as good a friend as I've ever had in my life, and as good an employee. Loyal, loyal, loyal."
Akins recalled a recent visit with Williams "on one of his good days, when he was feeling good," he said. No one else was with Williams, and he and Akins enjoyed watching a football game and reminiscing, he said.
One thing Akins remembers most about Williams was his strong work ethic.
"Work, work, work," he said. "And he never grumbled about it."
His dedication to work was reflected in numerous awards Williams received in his lifetime. He was honored by the Georgia Sheriff's Association with the Outstanding Service Award for his service in 1975-1985, and with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 1983 and 1984.
"From the very first, he was a lovable guy," said Bulloch County Deputy John Staten. "He called everybody 'my buddy.' He met no strangers, and everybody was, indeed, his buddy."
Williams' "word was his bond," he said. "If he told you he would do something for you, you didn't have to worry about it. There was no doubt in your mind he'd get it done for you."
Bulloch County Sheriff's Lt. Charlie Hendrix remembered playing softball against Williams' Jenkins County team. He also recalled working with Williams, and how dedicated he was to his job.
The two became very close, he said. "We became just like one - where you saw one, you saw the other."
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent-in-Charge John Edwards worked with Williams from when he was Jenkins County Sheriff. "He was very honest, hard working, and a God fearing man," he said. "His word was solid gold. He always had the best interest of the people at heart."
Williams retired last year, when his illness began taking its toll, Anderson said.
Although he began feeling poorly, Williams still tried to make it to work for a while, however. "He was a fighter," he said. "I can already tell you he will be missed by this department. He always kept things going, and would do anything for anybody."
"He was one of those people you will never forget," Staten said. "We're all going to miss him."
"He always wanted to chip in and be a part of it," Hendrix said. "He was just like Wilbur, just like Cook."
Hendrix referred to Wilbur Berry, a deputy killed in the line of duty a few years ago, and Billy Cook, another Bulloch County Sheriff's officer, also deceased.
Akins said he enjoyed his last visit with Williams. "I'll forever be grateful for it," he said. "I'm going to miss the old rascal."
Visitation for Williams will be held Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. John Waters and the Rev. Bill Brown officiating. Burial will be in Eastside Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Raymond Blackburn, Anthony Martin, Arnold Ray Akins, John Staten, Rudolph Becton, Wendell Turner, James Hopkins and Lynn Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers will be all law enforcement agencies.
Honor guard will be the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department and the Statesboro Police Department.