Derrick Williams
Derrick Evan Williams passed away in a scuba diving accident in Savannah, Georgia, on October 25, 2020. He had been in an auto accident just prior to his passing.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Leah Sawyer Williams and his parents, Larry and Nellie Jo Williams. He is also survived by his brothers, Baron (Sherrie) Williams, Gregory (Karen) Williams, and his sister, Heather Neal, along with several nieces and nephews, uncles, and cousins.
Derrick worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Region 2 in Hamilton and Bradley counties for 16 years. Prior to that Derrick was employed as an LPN at North Georgia Treatment Center in Fort Oglethorpe. He was also self-employed at various times to follow his passion for recycling.
Derrick loved scuba diving, travel, animals, muscle cars and music. He was an avid collector of heavy metal Christian music as well as a lifelong rescuer of many dogs and cats. Derrick enjoyed being a volunteer scuba diver with his wife Nancy at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Derrick was a native of Cleveland, but he grew up in Northern California, which he loved. He attended Collegedale Academy. He received his LPN license, Auto Mechanic Certificate, and EMT training at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. He met his wife Nancy Sawyer Williams in 1989 and they were married in 1991. They were married 29 years. They were looking forward to many more years together as they neared retirement and had many travel plans.
Please join his family for a memorial service and Celebration of Life Reception on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m., at the Collegedale Seventh Day Adventist Church, Collegedale. Pastor Dave Ketelsen will be officiating.