Terry Lynn Williams, 63

Terry Lynn Williams, 63, of Woodbridge, Va., died September 23, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family. Terry was the Chief Information Officer at the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health. He was preceded in death by his father, Haskell Williams. Terry is survived by his mother, Betty Williams; his wife, Linda Oakey; two sisters Geneene Stewart and Karen Egner; two brothers-in-law, Bill Stewart and Rick Egner; two sons, James and Owen Williams; three step-daughters, Kisha Hemphill, Kindra (Jamal) Smith and Kathryn (Heather) Hemphill; 4 grandchildren, Noah, Madison, Jonathan and Jackson; a host of family and friends; and two dogs, Greta and Jäger.

The son of an Army officer, Terry was born in Dallas, Texas, but lived in a number of states during early childhood as his family followed his father’s various assignments. After his father’s military retirement, the family settled on a ranch in Arizona. Terry was always proud that at the age of 13, he helped to build the family home including wiring the house while his father was on travel. Always modest concerning his multiple talents, Terry was an accomplished musician who could play the flute, guitar, keyboard, trumpet, and other instruments. In the early 1970s, he played in a band, Tucson, that toured and performed around the United States. He composed his own music and could build a cabinet as well as a computer. He was an avid photographer who won prizes for his unique work. In early life, he broke horses, rode bulls in rodeos, and put himself through college by performing as an explosives expert in the Copper Queen mine, Bisbee, Arizona. He briefly played college football at University of Arizona. In short, anything he attempted, he could achieve.

Terry attended several different undergraduate schools but ultimately held a dual Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Professional Studies from the University of San Francisco, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University.

Memorial services are scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2014, 11am at Miller Funeral Home, 3200 Golansky Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22192. The family will greet friends at Terry’s home, 3007 Tiger Court, Woodbridge, VA, following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Operation Smile or the Capital Area Food Bank.