George Williams Obituary

George "Skip" Williams, Jr, 79, of North Myrtle Beach, entered into eternal rest on May 6, 2025 while helping out in his church as he often did. He came into this world 3 months prematurely, skipping several months. And hence, "Skip" was born on April 15, 1946 in Fort Lewis, Washington, the son of Major (USA) George C. Williams, Sr. and Alline (Hundley) Williams. He was the first and only son of their five children. He moved 30+ times as an army brat when they finally settled in Hannahan, SC in 1957, and he graduated from Bishop England High School in 1964. He attended Clemson University, hitchhiking back and forth from Charleston on many weekends. He studied Industrial Education, graduating in 1968. While there, he put his beautiful voice and love of radio to use as a deejay for their campus station, WSBF. After graduating in 1968, he started his first job at Banker's Trust, where he worked with dear friends for 19 years. Over those years, he helped build and dismantle multiple bank systems through several mergers. He continued his career in banking computer systems at Resource BancShares. His last role before retiring to the beach was helping to start a successful global data software system, GTI (Global Trade Information Systems). Skip was always a loving servant to his church and his Catholic faith. Upon retiring to North Myrtle Beach, he and Sharon joined The Episcopal Church of the Messiah, where they found a wonderful church family. He was actively involved building the altar and other carpentry projects, along with maintaining their sound system, computer needs, and livestream presence extending the worship into the digital age. Throughout his life, he was surrounded by women. He was blessed with four younger sisters who loved him dearly and later had three incredible daughters. Family was his joy. His childhood was spent building treehouses, getting in endless trouble with his cousins whom he adored. In Royan, France, he played amongst old German bunkers on the coast. As a teenager, he helped his mom and dad babysitting, diapering those three younger sisters fifteen months apart, and running errands in an old black 1950s Studebaker. He never played sports because of his one blind eye, but he never felt sorry for himself and instead channeled his energy into electronics and radio. He spent the money his mom gave him for new pants at RadioShack instead. He loved playing with chemistry sets (subsequently setting his sister's hair on fire) and working on cars with his dad in the driveway. Him and his dad erected a large antennae in the backyard and talked to folks all over the world; and in 1963 he got his first ham radio license, WA4RGA, which has been the same call since. In 1968, he married, moved to Columbia, and raised three pretty incredible daughters, Kristin, Michelle, and Rebecca. They were the source of his greatest joy and impending hair loss. The list of everything he gave them as a father is too long and valuable. But they know how to live deeply in their faith, how to change a tire, that it's ok to cry or not, proper uses of WD-40, how to rescue squirrels, the value of altruism, and how to treat strangers. Unfortunately, or not, their lessons on US history were mostly from Stan Freberg albums. He helped them laugh through hard times, and rescued them on many occasions. In 2001, the spark in his eye was reignited when he and Sharon wed, gaining a son and a daughter, Larry and Melissa, their spouses and children, solidifying from there on out his presence as "Skippy". He and Sharon shared a love for an easy glass of wine, a casual dining spot with a nice breeze, and found the most joy in serving their church together, taking long walks on the beach, and above all, spending time with their grandchildren. Their shared passion of traveling took them to Australia, all throughout Europe. Their favorite place was London, their least favorite place was the ER in Paris when he fell off the metro platform (miraculously he was fine). One other visit, in true Skip fashion, he was able to charm their tour guide in France to travel two hours out of the way to stop by his childhood homes in Royan and Fouras. Skip was a life-long tinkerer, be it on cars, in the yard, the ham radio, woodworking, on his computer, or at his 3-D printer. His other hobbies that brough him much happiness include neighborhood driveway conversations, never turning down a favor, sneaking desserts past Sharon, reading nerdy things, and watching endless hours of Gunsmoke. He was a man of integrity, warmth, quick wit, and overflowing patience and kindness. His friends valued him deeply and his family knew how truly good they had it with him. Skip was an unassuming role model for so many. His voice was always warm and gentle, and he could sing a humble but beautiful bass. He never spoke negatively of anyone. He was so proud of his grandchildren for the people they are becoming. Did I mention how much he adored his grandchildren? Skip was preceded in death by his Mom and Dad. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Beard Williams. He is also survived by his four sisters: Kathy Wright (Tom), Terry Goss (Al), Cindy Walling (James), Pam Smith (Dennis) Five Children: Kristin Taffar and her husband Tony of St. Helena Island, Michelle Donnald and her husband Eddie of Sumter, Becca Widener and her husband Colin of Columbia, Larry Holloman and his wife Madison of Longs, Melissa Sorrell and her husband Chris of Greenville. Six Grandchildren: Brayden Holloman, Blake Sorrell (Rachel), Ryan Sorrell, Eddie Donnald III, Anna Widener, and Mary Widener Eight Nieces and Nephews: Colleen Wright, Alex Goss, Matthew Goss, Will Goss, Katie Rhodes, Michael Walling, Ehrin Smith, Courtney Peterson. We invite you to join us as we honor and celebrate the life of Skip. A service will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 pm at McMillan-Small Funeral Home, 910 67th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC. Family and friends are welcome to gather at 1:00 pm for a time of remembrance and support before the service begins. We appreciate your love, kindness, and presence during this time. Memorials may be made to: The Episcopal Church of the Messiah Building Fund, PO Box 70367, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Charles Williams, Jr., please visit our floral store.