Hershel Williams
With hearts full of love and sorrow, the family of Hershel Ernest Williams announces his peaceful passing. Hershel was born January 31, 1937, to Thomas Jefferson and Beulah Ashworth.
He grew up in High Island Texas and graduated May 1956. He relocated to Fannett, Texas and for the next 62 years, Hershel was a fixture at Burrell Brothers, where he became an expert dragline operator. An avid outdoorsman and tinkerer, he spent years deer hunting, fishing and building. Hershel’s ingenuity led him to create, develop and patent his “Rattle Horns”(a unique deer call).
The greatest chapter of his life began on a small dance floor in 1979 when he asked a woman by the name of Judy to dance. That one dance led to a beautiful journey of courtship and marriage spanning 55 years. They continued their Saturday Night tradition of dancing for 35 years until Judy suffered an unfortunate back injury. Hershel’s devotion to Judy was fierce. He was her protector and her constant source of joy; as Judy fondly recalls, “there wasn’t a day in our marriage that he didn’t make me laugh”. While he was a man of great humor, he was also a man of deep loyalty-he famously held a grudge against anyone who dared to offend his wife, standing as her steadfast champion until the end.
Hershel was a man of connection who preferred the warmth of a voice to the coldness of a text message. In recent years, his early mornings began at the Winnie Texaco store. With his own dedicated chair and table, he became a local fixture, holding court over a hot cup of coffee. Whether he was discussing the fishing forecast or spinning one of his famous stories, his presence was the heartbeat of those morning gatherings.
A faithful member of his church, Hershel found great peace and gratitude in worshiping with his church family and friends on Sundays. He lived a life that proved the simplest moments- a good cup of coffee, a conversation with a stranger, or a good 2-step on the dance floor are often the most meaningful.
He is survived by his wife of fifty- five years, Judy Williams; stepdaughter, Michelle Lynn Spencer; son, Todd Williams and his wife Nancy; grandchildren, TJ Williams and his wife, Lauren and Orey Williams and his wife, Kinsey; and great-grandchildren, Avery and Zane Williams, and Kira and Baylee Williams.
Hershel is preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.
A gathering of Mr. Williams’ family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Broussard’s, 134 Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at St. Matthew’s Methodist Church, 1308 Weeks Avenue, High Island, Texas 77623. His Interment will follow at High Island Cemetery, High Island.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Winnie
- 134, Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas, 77665,
- May 12, 2026
- 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
- 1308, Weeks Avenue, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, 77623,
- May 13, 2026
- 11:00 am
Interment
High Island Cemetery
- 1309, Gulfway Lane, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, 77623,
- May 13, 2026
Judy I’ve prayed for you and Hershel over the years… I know God gave you more time with him and what a blessing that was! Praying God continues to give you the comfort and strength you need.
Love you, Shodi Jacobson
Thank you all for your posts
Your comments have so uplifted myself & my stepson
Thank you all for your prayers for us in our time of deep sorrow.
God bless you all
His wife. Judy
Sorry for the loss of your Dad Todd. Such an extraordinary Man. He has left a strong legacy in our community. He helped build a large part of our irrigation and drainage system through his hands, levers, cables and a bucket. It will be generations from now and his skills will still be in conversations. God Bless you and your family my large brother-n-law.
Thank you for remembering what a great operator he was. Your kinds words were so uplifting and appreciated
His wife
God bless
I grew to know him at work recently. He always made me smile and was the sweetest man. Prayers to the family.
I agree. He was the best
The you for posting
It means so much to me
God Bless you Judy. I know you will miss the love of your life. He has told me many times how much he loved you. I know us at church and our Chicken Foot games have already missed you. I have. Enjoyed talking and joking with you the last decade. Bless you young man you have risen.
Rose Marie
Thank you Rose
That is so uplifting to me
Giving me such confront
Thank you Rose
That is so uplifting to
My church family has been my rock through such a
Difficult time
Thank you ROSE
The day after he passed he sent me a love song
If you get a chance I hope you will listen to it
I CHERISH YOU. BY MARK WILLS
Your words meant the world to me
God bless you my friend
Our Most Heartfelt Condolences to the Williams Family. Rest in Heavenly Peace Hershel.
Thank you so much
He was the. Very best husband & human being
God bless.
Judy and Family. We are going to definitely miss seeing that Red Ford pull up at the Texaco. Hershey was a great Man and always had a story to tell. He sure talked highly of his Wife and Son. Your in My Thoughts and Prayers and if there is anything we can help with pmease just let us know.
That is so heartwarming to hear
Thank you for your comment
God bless you and all
Todd and family, Joseph and I have you all in our prayers. Please let us know if you need anything. Much love and hugs.
Todd & family
Sorry to hear about your dad. Our
Thoughts & Prayers are with you..
Monica & Mark Decuir
Sure, gonna miss our back-and-forth on Sunday mornings over coffee before service started. He was not only an excellent operator. He was probably the best Jack Burrell ever had.
Going to miss him.
My husband loved meeting his friends for coffee
Thank you for the comment
His wife Judy
Todd I was sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏
Todd so sorry for the passing of your dad prayers for the family
Todd Sorry For Your Loss I’m Sure Going To Miss ARGO Your Dad Was Something Else Always Had Me Laughing Sending Love To Y’all