Roger Hurst Williams passed away on Monday, Feb. 23 at the age of 85 following a battle with cancer.
Roger was one of four boys born to Mary and Tom Williams, and his childhood years growing up in Natchitoches were filled with laughter, love and fun.
After graduating from Natchitoches High School, Roger went on to attend Northwestern State University where he played basketball and football and had the misfortune – or fortune – of taking German. Roger’s Germanic struggles led to meeting Ursula, who both tutored him in her native tongue and ultimately became his loving wife of over 64 years.
During his time at Northwestern, Roger formed many lasting and treasured friendships that continued until his death.
Upon graduation from Northwestern, Roger went to Officer Candidate School and became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy before being honorably discharged. Roger proudly served a three-year tour of duty in Vietnam onboard the USS Lucid, where he once again established lifelong friendships.
While in the Navy, Roger and Ursula welcomed their daughter, Renee, and they became a family of three. Over the years, Roger and the other junior officers on the Lucid regularly held reunions to reminisce about old times and catch up with each other’s life events. Up until the time of his death, Roger planned one last visit to the Lucid, which was decommissioned and currently sits as a maritime museum in the Stockton, California harbor.
After the Navy, Roger, Ursula and Renee briefly moved to Tampa, Florida before returning to Natchitoches, where Roger and Ursula would live until shortly before Roger’s death.
Roger was a fixture in the Natchitoches banking community, starting at People’s Bank & Trust Company and ending over 50 years later at Sabine State Bank & Trust Company, which generously reemployed Roger a few years after his official “retirement” until approximately two years before his death. As a banker, Roger thrived on helping others and loved providing advice, guidance and gentle words of encouragement to coworkers and customers.
Among his numerous civic activities, Roger served as a member of Board of Commissioners of the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Chairman of the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission. In the latter role, he spearheaded significant improvements to the Cane River waterfront area in downtown Natchitoches. Also, for several years, Roger coordinated the annual Christmas Festival fireworks show.
Roger, however, was more than a list of accomplishments. He led a very rich and impactful life and loved learning about the world through reading, particularly military history, and travel. He also loved sports and how they brought people together, whether on the football field, the basketball court or, later in life, the golf course.
One of the highlights of Roger’s postretirement life was being a regular member of the Walter Ledet Coffee Club. During early morning get togethers, Roger enjoyed listening to “stories” of other club members and adding few of his own. Throughout his life, Roger focused on family, friends and lending a helping hand to anyone in need. He did not have a materialistic bone in his body and literally would give you the shirt off his back. He was a true gentleman and just knowing him was a gift.
Roger is survived by his wife, Ursula, his daughter, Renee Williams Masinter, his granddaughter, Eleanor Masinter, his son-in-law, Paul Masinter, his oldest brother, Tom, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Tom, and his brothers, Payten and Kerney.
The family will host a gathering of friends and family at a later date in Natchitoches. Should you so wish, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the NSU Demons Unlimited Foundation or a charity of your choice.