Obituary of Douglass Bailey Williams III

Douglass Bailey Williams III of Jacksonville, FL passed away suddenly on July 22nd at age 70. He was the son of Douglass Bailey Williams, Jr. and Cynthia Edwards Keppel who predeceased him along with his Stepmother, Martha Elizabeth Williams and brother Theodoric (Teddy) Williams. He is survived by half brothers John Davison Williams of Southbury, CT, Philip Despard Williams of New Canaan, CT and half sisters Martha Greer (Williams) Morley of Ridgewood, NJ, Sarah Drake (Williams) Haj Harriri of Columbia, SC, and Dr. Cynthia Keppel of Newport News, VA along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was the cousin of US Congressman David McKinley of Wheeling, West Virginia and the nephew of John Augustine Washington, a direct descendant of George Washington who passed away in March. Douglass was born March 5, 1950 in Washington, DC and spent his early childhood at Willow Glen in Wheeling West Virginia, the historic home and now National Landmark Estate of his Grandfather Douglass Bailey Williams and wife Agra Bennett McKinley, while his father served as Captain in the United States Air Force during the Korea War. He spent his childhood growing up in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey prior to attending boarding school at The International School Beverweerd in Werkhoven, Netherlands where he graduated in 1969. He was fluent in Dutch. He attended Texas A&M University and served in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Germany and England followed by numerous tours of duty in the US Navy from 1971 - 1979. Douglass was proud of his military service to our country and traveled extensively aboard aircraft carriers all over the world. After retirement from the military he worked in security for Prudential and the Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County) Courthouse system for 17 years. He volunteered for many years supporting the Salvation Army, a cause that was dear to him. He will be remembered for his humor, kindness, infectious laugh, love of James Bond movies (especially the Sean Connery ones), and generosity, especially at Christmas - his favorite holiday which he always spent with his entire family. He attended Springfield Baptist Church in Jacksonville. A private service for Douglass was held on August 13, 2020 at 11am at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, New Jersey with military honors with burial next to his beloved Father and Stepmother. Donations in Douglass's memory can be made to the Springfield Baptist Church in Jacksonville in Douglass's name via mail to Springfield Baptist Church, 1106 North Liberty Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206.