Lt Williams

LT Williams, 84, entered eternal rest on June 14, 2012. He was born Aug. 14, 1927 in Staft, OK. His parents were Lester and Tennie Williams. The family moved to Las Cruces, NM while LT was a youngster. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in both WW II and Korea. In the service he learned barbering and was a well known barber in Las Cruces for over 60 years. LT began his barbering career in the Herndon Hotel and then opened the Breeze-way Barber Shop. In 1964 he opened the Loretto Barber Shop, which became a reflection of himself; friendly, popular, and many, many times the winner of the Las Cruces Sun News People's Choice Award. LT was also very civic-minded, having become Santa Claus to many generations of school children. He was the first jolly Santa in the "Toys for Tots" annual motorcycle parade in which he participated for numerous years. LT was also a frequent judge for the Miss New Mexico USA Pageant and in 1991 was honored with the chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. Always friendly, with a great sense of humor, he loved to dance and entertain. He lived a full life-from packing and racing mules to ski boats, motorcycles and air planes. LT was a very generous man who never met a stranger. He is survived by his son, Dale Williams of the family home and daughter Brenda Williams of Denver, CO; brothers Chester Williams and wife Jerry of Yukon, Ok, and Harold Williams and wife Cathy of T or C, NM; sisters Retha Miller and husband Carthel of Choctaw, OK, and Audrey Williams of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He is also survived by his extended Loretto Barber shop family-barbers and friends who passed through the barber shop over the years. Graveside Services to celebrate his life will be held under the gazebo at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 10 am with Pastor Ron Herring of the Panlener St. Church of Christ officiating. The US Navy and the Devil Dogs Marine Squad will provide military honors. In lieu of flowers donations in his name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association New Mexico Chapter, 1121 Mall Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011 or your favorite charity. PDF Printable Version