Mark Williams

Former Hastings resident, Mark A. Williams, 52, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 at CHI Health St. Francis, Grand Island, Nebraska.

Services will be Tuesday, November 10, 2015; 11:00 A.M. at North Shore Assembly of God, Hastings with Pastor Rod Armon officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Mark A. Williams Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date. Visitation will be Monday, November 9, 2015; 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the church.

Mark was born May 17, 1963 in Hastings, Nebraska to Merle G. and Wava L. (Long) Williams. He graduated from Hastings High School and Peru State College with a double major in Business Administration and Psychology - Sociology. Captain Mark Williams began his career with the Nebraska State Patrol on September 12, 1988, when he launched his first day in recruitment camp at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska. Three months later on December 16, 1988, he stood, with other members of his recruitment class, and took his Oath of Office before Secretary of State Alan Beermann, becoming a commissioned Trooper for the Nebraska State Patrol. As a graduated Trooper I, Captain Williams was assigned his first duty station in Auburn, Nebraska, in Headquarters Troop, where he worked in road operations. On September 12, 1990, he was promoted to Trooper II, and continued to serve in his duty station of Auburn for the next nine years. On July 1, 1999, he was temporarily transferred to the Training Academy in Lincoln to assist and conduct training with the new recruits. He was permanently transferred to the Training Academy in Lincoln on June 1, 2000. Captain Williams was promoted to Sergeant of the Training Academy on September 21, 2000. In June of 2001 the Training Academy in Lincoln was co-located with the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. This co-location meant a duty station transfer for Captain Williams from Lincoln to Grand Island. Three years after co-locating to Grand Island, Captain Williams was promoted to Lieutenant of the Training Academy on January 27, 2003. After a short transfer on January 24, 2011, to Traffic Services in Troop C, Captain Williams was laterally transferred, on December 23, 2013, back to the Training Academy. He was promoted to Captain on January 1, 2014. Captain Williams served in this capacity until his death. Captain Williams was also a 2006 graduate from the FBI National Academy session # 226. His comfort level, his confidence, and his mentoring recruits in law enforcement are where his talents excelled and where he will be sorely missed. Mark enjoyed attending his children's activities, spending time with family and friends, all sports, motorcycle trips and fitness activities.

Mark A. Williams was preceded in death by his father.

SURVIVORS:
Children:
Blake Williams - Aurora,NE
Brooke Williams - Aurora, NE
Isabella Azuaga-Williams - Brazil
Mother:
Wava Williams - Hastings, NE
Brother:
Larry Williams - NE
Sisters & Brothers-in-law:
LeAnn & Tom Tripp - Littleton, CO
Debbie & Keith Shelton - Hastings, NE
Nieces & Nephews:
Kristen Tripp
Trae & May Tripp
Zachary Tripp
Brandon & Emily Williams
Cody & Erika Williams
Michaela Williams
Jeffery & Kim Shelton
Heather & Eric Thaut
Michael Shelton
Forever Love:
Tammy Holcomb - Cairo, NE
Mothers of his children:
Pam Williams - Aurora, NE
Simone Azuaga - Brazil