Elvin (Bill) Williams, 88, passed away the morning of February 1st, at the Lompoc Comprehensive Care Center. He was born on March 12, 1923 in Jacksonville, Florida. He joined the US Army and served for two years and completed his service in the Air Force after 18 years and retired in 1969 at Vandenberg AFB. He continued working Civil Service at Vandenberg AFB where he retired as an electrician in 1986.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vivian Williams, in 1989.
Bill was active in the Lompoc community with Club Arcturus and he was a founding member of the Providence First AME Church, where he attended faithfully and was once selected as "Man of the Year". Bill was lovingly known as a man with a big smile and a big heart. He loved to cook, BBQ the best tri tip, fish, garden and spoil his family! He loved sharing anything that he had and most certainly, life's lessons with young people and helping guide them in the right direction, which was always pointing them towards the Lord and the military! He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill met his wife Estella Richardson and they married in 1991.
Bill is survived by his wife, Estella, his daughter, Karen Gridiron (Gregory) of Santa Maria. He also leaves grandchildren, Carla Carter of Moreno Valley, Kevin Carter of Sacramento, Carl (C.J.) Carter (Nicole) of Stockton, Kayla Gridiron of Santa Maria, 6 great-grandchildren, 1 niece, 3 nephews, Pastor Carl Carter (Deborah) of Sacramento, Eunice Gordon (Johnnie) of Lompoc, and a host of family and friends.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the mortuary.