Donnie Williams Sr., 80, of Brooklet, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Donnie was born in Statesboro, Georgia, and attended the local schools before moving to Savannah, where he graduated from Savannah High School. He went to work for Sav-A-Stop, which transferred him to its Charleston office. That move changed his life. In Charleston, he met the love of his life. Pat was working at a Red & White store when Donnie came bouncing in wearing his Aqua Velva cologne, and one smell was all it took. Pat was done for. On September 22, less than two weeks before his passing, they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Donnie worked his way up in the company, with moves from Moncks Corner to Augusta, Georgia, and back to Charleston, South Carolina. He later ventured out on his own and bought a grocery store in Denmark, Ga., from Ralph and Virginia Miller, which he ran as Donnie's Shop & Save. Next, he began a new career in the building industry that lasted over 30 years, including time with McKnight Construction. He spent the final 13 years of his career as a project manager for the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission.
In his younger years, Donnie loved hunting, fishing and playing softball with family and friends. When he and Pat became empty nesters in their mid-40s, he took up golf and camping, two passions that stayed with him for the rest of his life. They also gave him and Pat something new to share. He taught her to play golf, and every year they looked forward to camping trips to Cherokee, North Carolina, and Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae with family and friends.
At home, he took great pride in his garden each year, especially his mustard greens, which he loved sharing with friends. He loved cutting his grass and always kept his yard looking its best.
He was a member of Emit Grove Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorine Smith and Frank Williams.
Donnie loved his family dearly and was so proud of each of them.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years and forever his gal, Pat; his daughters, Terri (Steve) Dyches and Alicia (Jeff) Lee; his son, Donnie (Kim) Williams; his grandchildren, Zach (Linsey) Hall of Savannah, Lydia, Janna and Jeremiah Lee of Carrollton, Georgia; Marina (Griffin) Beard of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Mariah (Thomas) McHugh of Tallahassee, Florida; his great-grandchildren, Judah, Nehemiah, Indie, Wylie and Jovie; and his brother, Ronnie (Linda) Williams of Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Bulloch Funeral Care & Cremation.
The funeral service will follow at noon, with a graveside service immediately afterward.
Memorial contributions can be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, 200 Donehoo Street, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Services handled by Bulloch Funeral Care & Cremation.
Statesboro Herald, October 6, 2026
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