[ WAR IN IRAQ ]
COURTESY OF THE WILLIAMS FAMILY
Sgt. Eugene Williams, wife Brandy and daughter Mya.
Isle woman Brandy Dela Cruz Williams, wife of Sgt. Eugene Williams, who was killed Saturday in Iraq, said her husband "knew that his job was to go there and fight for his country."
says spouse
died a hero
By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comThe Honolulu woman added that her husband died a "hero" and that he will always be remembered as "a loving husband and father."
Eugene Williams, 24, was killed Saturday with three other soldiers from his 3rd Infantry Division when a suicide bomber posing as a taxi driver pulled up to a roadblock north of Najaf seeking assistance.
Brandy Williams, who is expecting the couple's second child in June, returned to Oahu to her parents' home when her husband's Georgia-based unit was sent to Kuwait earlier this year.
A black ribbon has been added to the single yellow ribbon tied to a tree at the Dela Cruzes' Central Oahu home.
She declined an interview, but through the 25th Infantry Division where her husband was stationed for two years ending in July 2001, she released a written statement.
Brandy Williams, who graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy in 1995, said in the release: "When Eugene deployed to Iraq, we really didn't talk a lot about what he was going to do over there. He knew it was his job to go over there and fight for his country. Since he is an infantryman, we both knew that he would most likely be on the front lines.
"Eugene died for his country, and when our children grow up I will be sure to tell them how proud we all are of their daddy, and that he may not be here with us but that he will always remain in our hearts," said Brandy Williams, who has a 3-year-old daughter, Mya. "His family and I are very proud of the sacrifice he made. He is our hero."
Brandy Williams met her husband while she was attending the University of Hawaii. She said her husband "was and will always be remembered as a loving husband and father. He had a funny sense of humor and was kindhearted. He was a good son and brother and also a good friend. He had this smile that warmed your heart, and he had infectious laughter.
"His family members are truly proud of his courage and dedication to serve and protect our country. We want him to be remembered for this, and his children will always remember him as a true hero. He is going to be missed by all who knew him."
Eugene Williams enlisted in the infantry in December 1997 and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in April 1998.
At Schofield Barracks, Williams was a member of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlets). He deployed to the Sinai in support of Multinational Force and Observers missions from January to July 2001. When he returned from Egypt, Williams left the Army.
From January 2002 to June, when Williams re-enlisted in the Army, the couple lived in Florida. When he rejoined the Army, Williams was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
His awards included two Army Achievement Medals, expert infantryman's badge and air assault badge.
Funeral services here are pending.
Williams' sister, Lori Ackert, who lives in Highland, N.Y., 70 miles south of Albany, told the Associated Press that her brother loved R&B and soul music and had hoped to make a music demo when he returned home.
Williams graduated from Highland School in 1996 and played football in high school.
In offering his sympathy and condolences to the Williams family, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said: "Sgt. Williams made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. We pay tribute to his patriotism and honor his courage."
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