Stephen Bruce Williams

Stephen Bruce Williams, Lt. Col., USAF (retired), age 79, born May 15, 1946 in Asheville, N.C. to Robert Bruce and Dorothy Lenorie Williams, died Sunday, March 1, 2026 at home in Shiloh, Ill.

He grew up in Asheville and graduated from TC Robertson High School in 1964. In 1968 Steve graduated from The University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. That was a big year for Steve as he also met and married his wife, Margaret, joined the Air Force and started pilot training. Steve spent 10 years on active duty which included a tour in Vietnam. During that tour he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Air Medals. Toward the end of his active duty career he was very proud to have taught the first 30 women Air Force pilots. A death in the family brought Steve to Huntington, W.Va. to help his father in law, Linden Chiles, manage Dickinson Furniture. He also joined the West Virginia Air National Guard at that time to finish his military career.

Steve and Margaret retired in 2008. They spent their retirement walking daily in Ritter Park, hiking in Hawking Hills, Ohio and traveling the world.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Forrest Sakhai.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, his daughter Sandra Sakhai Owens, his son Mark (Sylvia), and his grandchildren Layken (Misael) Palma, Savannah Sakhai, Kayla Williams, Parker Williams, Mace Owens, a great grandson Dean Palma, his brother Joel Williams (Kate) and a sister Nita Brunner (Bill).

Memorial donations may be made to Johnson Memorial UMC Backpack program. Online condolences may be shared at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

His Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 513 10th St., Huntington, WV 25701. The family will receive friends from 11-12 with the service following at Noon, with Rev. Annette Carper officiating.