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David Nelson Williams was born September 1, 1960 at Madigan Hospital, Ft. Lewis, WA to Nelson C. and Barbara Gail (Smith) Williams. David was born with many challenges, more than most people would be able to deal with. But for Dave, it was never an excuse and he would never accept that he could not achieve anything he set his mind to.
David grew up an army "brat" and loved traveling with his family throughout Europe and the United States. While in Fulda, Germany he was first introduced to martial arts, a passion that he followed throughout his whole life.
At the age of 16, his family returned to Germany and David made his permanent home in Lawton, OK, where he met his best friend and mentor, Ronnie Smith, Sr. It is because of Ronnie, David became a police officer. Ronnie turned him to the "dark side" and David loved every minute of his life in law enforcement, another thing he had to fight for and work three times as hard as anyone else to achieve his dreams.
Lt. David Williams began his career with the Lawton Police Department in 1994 after serving with the Comanche County Sheriff's Office and District III Drug Task Force. While with Lawton, he worked in Patrol, K-9, Gang Unit officer and in COP. He also served time on the Honor Guard as bugler. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007. In February 2014, he was transferred to the Special Operations Section, where he excelled, and did what he did best. He finished his career with the Lawton Police Department as a Patrol Lieutenant, retiring in 2016.
Within a year of retirement, David put a uniform back on, after all he was a police officer with every fiber of his being, and went to work at Cameron Police Department, where he worked until his death.
David was accomplished in so many areas, but one of his greatest joys was martial arts. During the 1990's he met his "brother" J.W. Bode. With J.W., James Poindexter, Daniel Moore, they started Lawton Aikido. David achieved a third degree black belt, Sandan in 2004. Never to rest or not chase another goal, David was currently pursuing his black belt in Anshin Arashi Karate. He credited his good friend Jeff Johnson for "taking the time to get an old man back into fighting shape". He loved Thursdays and Sundays, working with Dr. Vernon "Mike" Love, Dr. Paul Engelman, and Jeff. The best days were when he came home and said "even my hair hurts".
David married his best friend Pamela Sue (Blazer) Underwood on March 27, 2011. It was one of the best days of his life, surrounded by family and friends, especially his beloved daughter, Ariel Elise Williams.
David had so many friends and loved ones, he never met a stranger, which made getting through Wal-Mart a challenge. He will be missed by so many. His absence will leave a great hole. But we will love each other and fill the void as best we can.
David is survived by his wife Pamela, daughter Ariel of Houston, and (step) sons Christian and Matthew Underwood, his father Nelson C. and step-mother Ailene (Foster) DeWelt, of Joplin, MO, sisters Skyla Fiorentino , husband Steve, nephew, Stevie and niece, Karrissa, of Alba, MO, sister, Kristie Williams and niece Sara Lopez of Joplin MO, brother Michael, niece Sophia, and nephew Simon of Fairland, OK, and so many aunts, uncles, loved ones and friends.
David is proceeded in death by his mother, Barbara Gail (Smith) Williams, his beloved grandparents, Kenneth Edgar and Eleen Smith, Bernice and Joseph Williams and his best friend and mentor, Ronnie Smith, Sr.
Viewing will be Thursday, December 7 at Whinery-Huddelston Funeral Home from 6:00-7:00 pm. Funeral is Friday, December 8 at Cameron Baptist Church 3:00 pm.
The family cannot express our thanks to the numerous friends, Lawton Police Department and the Comanche County Sherriff's Office. We will be forever grateful for your love and support.
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