Colonel Ora J. Williams

Director, Combat Support
Evaluation Directorate
United States Army
Operational Evaluation
Command
Alexandria, Virginia
Colonel Ora J. Williams is a native of Monticello. She graduated from Alcorn State University (formerly Alcorn A&M College) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and Science and earned Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University. Her military education includes Women Army Corps (WAC) Orientation Course, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Supply Management Office Course, Quartermaster Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
Colonel Williams began her Army career in January 1973. Following her basic schooling, she was assigned as Operations Officer, at the United States Army Engineer at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. From February 1975 to March 1977 she served as Protocol Officer, Headquarters Command, Nelligen, Germany. In September 1977 she assumed Command of the 613th Field Service Company General Support (Forward), Fort McClellan, Alabama, departing in July 1979 for duty as Assistant professor Military Science at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. From July 1983 to June 1984, Colonel Williams attended Command General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
After completion of Command and General Staff in 1984, Colonel Williams was assigned to the 2nd Support Center (Materiel Management Center), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In July 1985 she became the Logistics Operations Officer, 530th SS Battalion and in 1986 the Logistics Officer of the 46th Support Group. She departed Fort Bragg in June 1987 for J4, Eighth US Army, Seoul, South Korea, where she served as Supply Officer and subsequently Chief of Supply Branch, Materiel Support Division. Colonel Williams returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in January 1989 and assumed command of the 2nd Support Center (Meteriel Management Center) on 7 March 1989, and relinquished her command on 21 March 1991, while deployed on Operation DESERT STORM.
After graduation from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barrack, Pennsylvania, she was assigned to Plans and Operations Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, the Pentagon, Washington, DC.
In September 1993 Colonel Williams was reassigned to her present position as Director, Combat Support Evaluation Directorate, US Army Operational Test and Evaluation Command, Alexandria, Virginia.
Colonel Williams’ awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army Achievement Medal.
Colonel Ora J. Williams was born to the late Lillie Mae and L.J. Williams, Sr. on March 3, 1941. They were hard working parents and common people, who believed that children were cheaper by the dozen and should be reared in an atmosphere of love and labor.
At an early age, she joined Monticello First Baptist Church. There she worked faithfully, and in her travels she remained faithful to God by doing service for the Lord. She sang in the choir, worked with the Trustee Board and helped in the Children’s Ministry.
She attended McCullough School. Activities were as follows: Class President (twice), Editor of the school paper, President of FHA, President of Tri-High Y, member of course 8th-12th grades, Library Assistant, selected Sweetheart of FFA and President of 4-H Local Club, county and state wide.
She chose Alcorn A&M College as the place to continue her education for three reasons: one, she liked the school; two, it offered her financial assistance; and three, it was the only school in the state where she could acquire her chosen major, Home Economics, which she taught in the Natchez-Adams Public School System 1962-1972.
Why did she want to be part of the Women’s Army Corps?
She wanted more than anything to convince the general public that this is one of the best organizations that a woman can be part of. She liked organization and patriotism. There she got both.
For relaxation she enjoyed reading, planning entertainment, sewing, decorating, singing, gardening and home improvement.
Colonel Williams, Retired, is survived by her adopted son, Sedric Ellison Williams (Ebonee); four brothers, L.J. Williams, Jr. (Debra), of Bedford, Texas, Reverend James L. Williams of Houston, Texas, Dr. Martin L. Williams (Lynell) of Omaha, Nebraska and Larry Kelly of Brookhaven; seven sisters, Joyce Hale of South Holland, Illinois, Emma Burt (Sherman), Mattie Pearl Williams of Monticello, Willie Helen Kelly Buie of Brookhaven, Carolyn Holmes (Carl) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Faith Thomas (Derrick) of Monticello, and Bessie Williams of Monticello; brother-in-law, John Willis of Brookhaven; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Holton of Jacksonville, Florida, and Clyde Webster of Washington, D.C.