Ledger-Enquirer -- The Fort Benning community said goodbye Friday to one of its own.
In a memorial ceremony held on a chilly autumn morning in a chapel on Kelley Hill, hundreds of soldiers and civilians gathered to pay their last respects to Staff Sgt. Briand T. Williams, killed Nov. 22 in Iraq.
Williams, 25, of Sparks, Ga., died in Numaniyah at the hands of an enemy sniper while providing security for a U.S. State Department Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Wasit Province
Known to many soldiers as “Sergeant Will,” Williams served with the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. He was assigned to the unit in September 2007. The 3rd HBCT deployed to Iraq in October.
Williams enlisted in the Army in 2002 after graduating from Valdosta High School. His mother, Tonya Flippen of Valdosta, said her son was determined to be a career soldier.
“I was very proud of my son,” Flippen said following Friday’s memorial. “He has always made me proud since day one. His mission was to go into the military and retire. That was his job ... He died doing what he loved.”
On Aug. 1, Williams was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Being in a leadership position suited the well-liked soldier. Pvt. Wayland Waldrep said “Sergeant Will” was tough on him and others, but only because he cared about the lives of the soldiers in his charge.
“Staff Sgt. Williams was a leader, a mentor and most of all a friend,” Waldrep said. “He taught me how to be a better soldier and how to be on time ... He never looked for the easy way out to do what’s right for the situation. He was a good man.”
On Nov. 25, Williams’ brothers-in-arms held a memorial service in his honor at Forward Operating Base Delta in Iraq, according to a news release.
The auditorium was “filled to standing room capacity, with Williams’ battery sitting on the first few rows surrounded by their fellow soldiers service FOB Delta,” wrote Sgt. Ben Hutto with the 3rd HBCT public affairs team in Iraq.
Very few seats remained open during the fallen soldier’s state-side ceremony as well.
Both at home and abroad, his friends remembered his smile.
“He just had that personality that always brought a smile to your face no matter what kind of day you were having,” said Capt. Christian Iten, Williams’ rear detachment commander.
His mother remembered his big hugs and even bigger appetite.
“When he’d come to visit me, he’d give me a big hug every time. And the first words that would come out of this mouth were, ‘What are you cooking me for dinner?’”
And soldiers remembered his leadership ability.
“Whatever faith or belief you have, if there is a better place after death, believe me, he is there,” said Sgt. Kevin Behling, a fellow non-commissioned officer in Battery B, in a news release. “His legacy will never be forgotten.”
Col. Peter Jones, the commander of the 3rd HBCT, reminded his brigade during Williams’ Nov. 25 memorial that his death should serve as a wake up call to those who believe Iraq is now a safe country.
“Sgt. William’s death makes us realize that Iraq is still a dangerous place,” said Jones. “Contrary to reports on the news, there are still people willing to attack U.S. and ISF forces and try and undo all the progress that has happened here.”
Williams is survived by his wife, Atiyhia Williams; daughter, Briana Williams; son, Antonio Godbold; mother, Tonya Flippen; father, Fred Williams Jr. of Sparks; and sister, Kyra Williams of Valdosta.
Atiyhia Williams is expecting the couple’s third child, said family friend Spc. Carl Hughley. Hughley said Thursday that his friend had hoped for another boy.
“He got his wish,” Hughley said with tears in his eyes. “He’s having a son. He would have been very proud to have seen his son.”
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