Daniel Williams

Joseph Daniel “Pops” Williams, age 72, passed away at his house in Eastland on June 9, after a 6 month battle with cancer. He took his journey home with his children and grandchildren gathered around him.
Daniel was born in Roby, Texas, on November 9, 1943. He was the fourth of eight children born to Josephine Hamilton and Osie Williams.
He married the love of his life, Darlene Inez Dodrill in Vancouver, Washington on March 18, 1961. They had 6 children together, and were married 48 years, 7 months, and 16 days.
Daniel and Darlene enjoyed a lifetime of adventures together, including a lot of traveling. They visited most of the states together and also went to Mexico and Canada. The purpose of most of their travels was to find work, but they made sure to have lots of fun along the way.
In the early years they would go to Washington, Oregon or Montana to pick fruit. Daniel was also a carpenter and roofer, and they would go to wherever they were needed to roof houses after a storm. He also started and ran Joseph Roofing for many years. In 1977, they built The Williams Apartments in Eastland, and ran it for over 20 years. He was a very hard worker his entire life.
Daniel was extremely adventurous, and never shied away from a challenge. He loved taking his grandchildren to Six Flags and challenging them to ride all the big roller coasters with him. He loved nature, and for many years, walked several miles a day. He liked to collect rocks from the many different places he explored. He loved finding a good bargain, making people laugh, and always had time to sit down for a good conversation about whatever was on your mind. He was a very deep thinker. He was a very gentle and kind person, and his generosity was unending.
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joel Williams, his brother, Paul Williams, and his wife, Darlene.
He is survived by two brothers, Jay and John Williams, three sisters, Virginia French, Sarah Horton, and Mary Jackson, his two sons, Sammie Dan Williams and wife Dee Ann, of Eastland, and Jefferson Daniel Williams and wife Tammie of Corpus Christi. Also, his four daughters, Cheryl Inez Duvall and husband Bret of Fort Worth, Becky Louise Flanary and husband Larry of Knoxville Tennessee, Lavonna Grace Prince and husband Brett of Eastland, and Lisa Darlene Hart and husband Jonathan of Athens. In addition, he has 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
His children and grandchildren meant the world to him, and he left them with a rich legacy of love and laughter. Among many other things, he taught them the value of hard work, that to give is more rewarding than to receive, to sing like no one is listening, and to dance like no one is watching. Pops was the most unselfish man that you could ever meet. He enjoyed life to it’s fullest, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Life will never be the same without him.
His service will be at Edward’s Funeral Home in Eastland on Monday at 10 AM. Burial will be at the Eastland Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to 1701 West Main in Eastland.