GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Family and friends of the late U.S. Army Sgt. Eugene Williams arrived yesterday with a color poster of him prior to services at the Mililani Mortuary Park's mauka chapel.
Proud Hawaii family Somber and proud.
mourns killed soldier
Loved ones and well-wishers gather
in memory of Sgt. Eugene WilliamsBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comThose were the words used to describe the mood of family members at a private funeral service last night for Sgt. Eugene Williams, according to Army officials.
Close to a hundred loved ones and well-wishers gathered at Mililani Memorial Park's mauka chapel to support Williams' family, 23 of whom had arrived in Hawaii earlier this week from New York and Florida. At the request of Williams' wife Brandy, family members did not speak to the media although they appeared to be very proud of their lost loved one.
"I'd love to talk about my brother," said eldest brother Gerry Williams before the service started. "But I also want to respect the wishes of my brother's wife."
Williams was killed on March 29 during the early days of the Iraq War when a man posed as a taxicab driver and blew up a bomb north of Najaf. The attack killed four soldiers, including Williams, and injured another.
Williams' youngest brother, Pfc. Eric Williams, had been serving in the Army with his brother in Iraq and escorted his brother's body from Dover Air Force Mortuary in Delaware to Hawaii.
The scene inside the chapel resembled a shrine to the fallen soldier, complete with an American flag made out of flowers, another real flag draping over the coffin and a banner which said "OUR HERO" draped over a flower arrangement.
There also was a picture frame that held an image of the soldier in uniform along with the certificates for both of the medals he had earned posthumously, the Bronze Star for bravery and the Purple Heart for being injured during battle.
Included in the service were songs by Williams' father Ulysses and the fiancee of his brother Gerry. For both songs, Gerry Williams played the keyboard.
Outside, Army officials spoke for the family, saying that they were extremely thankful for all the community support, including a City Bank account set up to receive donations.
"They're very grateful for all the support they've received and the spirit of aloha that everyone's shown," said Army spokeswoman Capt. Stacy Bathrick. "They didn't know what to expect."
"Donations from the community keep on coming in," she said.
City Bank has opened a savings account to benefit the couple's daughter, Mya, and is accepting donations at all branches. Donations can be made payable to: Family of the late Eugene Williams.
Williams, a native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., met his wife Brandy Dela Cruz while she was attending the University of Hawaii and he was stationed at Schofield Barracks with the 25th Infantry Division.
The couple were married three years ago and have one daughter, Mya J. M. Dela Cruz Williams.
In July 2001, Williams left the Army but re-enlisted later that year and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart in Georgia. When the 3rd Division was sent to Kuwait, Brandy Williams moved back to Waipahu because the couple was expecting their first child.
Survivors include Williams' grandmothers, Emma Williams and Betty Jean Ackert, his parents Ulysses and Betty Jean Williams, his brother Gerry and Eric, and his sister Lori Ann Ackert.
He is to be buried this morning at Mililani Memorial Park.
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