Col. Lawrence H. (Larry) Williams, age 85, of Manor Way, Carrollton passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011 at his residence. He was born July 3, 1925 in Houston, TX., the son of the late Dorothea Anna Hehmann Williams & Walter Williams. A veteran of three wars, Col. Williams enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served with the 5th Marine Division during the Invasion of Ima Jima and occupation of Japan. After being discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946, he attended Texas A & M University College Station, TX., and was awarded a bachelor of Science degree in Engineering in 1950. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserve after graduation. His overseas duties included assignments in Korea, as Army Missiles Officer on the sixth allied Tactical Air Force Stall, Izmier, Turkey and on the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force Staff, Vicenza Italy. In 1967, he was assigned to Vietnam, where he served consecutively as Deputy G-1 First Field Forces, Nha Tang as Corps Artillery executive officer, XXIII Corps, Pau Bai and as commander 1st Battalion, 40th Artillery at Don Hoc. Col. Williams decorations include three awards of the Legion of Merit, A Soldiers Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a Naval Presidential Unit Citation in addition to numerous campaign and area medals. Col. Williams was awarded the Second Oak Leaf Cluster to the Legion of Merit upon his retirement from the Army, following a Military Career of more than 30 years. He served as Deputy Inspector General U.S. Army Forces Command Fort McPherson, before retirement. He is included in "Ordinary Heroes", Dr. Mac Martin's series on WWII Heroes. Mr. Williams was a member of the Retired Officers Association TROA McIntosh Trail Chapter and served as President in 1998, 1999 and 2000 serving on the Board of Directors until he became ill. He also helped with the Veterans Memorial Park until he became ill. After his retirement from the military, he and Doug Crawford organized Crawford and Williams Associates, an engineering company and he retired from there in 1992. Mr. Williams served as Cottage Hill Subdivision President 2002 and 2003. He was a mason and in April 2011, he received his 65th year Masonic Award from the Most Worshipped Grand Lodge of Texas. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he was a deacon and served as past chairman of deacons in 1996 and 1997. He received the honor of Deacon Ameritus in 2002. He served on many committees, taught Sunday school and served as director of Adult Two Sunday School Dept. He served more than 7 years as volunteer for Tanner Medical Center Auxiliary. In addition to his parents, Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Berry Williams; his daughter, Joan Walker Adams and brother, Bob Williams. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Evelyn Walker Williams of Carrollton; daughters and son in-law, Julie & Ricky Jiles and Jan & Dan McPherson all of Carrollton, Deborah & Randy Sprayberry of Newell, AL.; son and daughter in-law, Mark & Bobbi Williams of Desert Springs, CA.; 10 grandchildren, Rebekah & Charlie Griffis, Chastity & Ryan Marlow, Jenny & Ray Ross, Brad & Marcie Dickerson, Jim & Beth McPherson, Jamie & John Puckett, Ashley & Brandon Williams, Chris Brown and Rico Jiles; also surviving are 7 great grandchildren, and a sister in law, Addie Montgomery of Carrollton. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 2 PM from Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel with Rev. Dan McPherson, Dr. J. Howard Cobble and Dr. Jimmy Gentry officiating. Music will be rendered by Frank Shoppe. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Retired Officers Association and members of other Veteran organizations and they are encouraged to wear uniforms if appropriate. Interment will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 5 PM until 8 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Tanner Hospice Care PO Box 1136, Carrollton, Ga., or Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, PO Box 1062, Carrollton, Ga., 30112. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton has charge of the arrangements.