Michael Kelvin Williams was born July 21, 1960, the proud son of Marcellus Spencer Williams and Patricia Jane Williams. Mike was raised by his parents in Hampton, VA, eventually matriculating to Phoebus High School. At Phoebus, Mike was an outstanding scholar, athlete, and leader. 

Academically, he was a member of the National Honor Society. Athletically, Mike was a multi-year triple letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. Finally, Mike honed his leadership skills as a member of the United States Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

After high school, Mike and classmates like Mark Hopson were members of the last class to go to basic training before the “Prep School.” Mark remembers Mike’s favorite story of how his mother had to escort him to the Military Entrance Processing Station and sign him over to the recruiter because he was still a 17-year-old minor. Every time he told this it was followed by Mike’s readily, identifiable boisterous laugh. Mike received a presidential nomination, entering with the Class of 1983 and eventually end up in D-3.

In D-3, Ted “Tango” Martin remembers, “What a lucky day when I learned that I would be rooming with Mike ‘Moo’ Williams.” However, the two found out that it was all a clever ruse by their tactical officer. As corps squad captains, Mike and Ted were authorized phones, and their TAC, trying to squeeze out every ounce of freedom from D-3, had the two room together in order to have one fewer phone on the floor. Nonetheless, Tango said, “I learned a lot about football, leadership, and friendship from Moo. I also learned that if you miss a fumble recovery, you could expect to carry a football around all week until the start of the next game!” Moo didn't often miss much when it came to football, especially tackles. Moo was known for his ability to stop offensive drives in their tracks by tackling players who significantly outweighed him. To this day, many “Joe College” players wake up in a cold sweat staring at the number 18 welcome wagon quickly, followed by the swift and accurate “Bone” to the head. Our teammate Moo played football, Army Football, the only way he knew how, all out. One could see the same genuine leadership 37 years later in the way he also supported his team at the Army Logistics University.

Everybody knew Mike/Moo/Elmo/Big Mike as a standout football player, but few knew that he was actually recruited to play baseball. He walked on to the Football Team when he was found to be hurting cadets during intramural football plebe year. Leadership implored the varsity football coaches to give Mike a look, which led to an immediate try out. Not only did Mike make the team, but he started as a hard-hitting free safety for three years, leading the team in tackles during his cow and firstie years. His talent and leadership elevated Mike to be overwhelmingly elected as a team co-captain, with Gerald Walker. Mike’s dominating style earned him third team All-American and first team all-East honors, as well as an invitation to the Hula Bowl to compete with some of the best players in the country. Thirty-seven years later that Hula Bowl jersey still hung in Mike’s office.

After graduation, Mike proudly served as a Military Police officer before transitioning to a civilian career. Mike quickly rose to the level of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and served as an SES for more than 13 years, demonstrating his analytical mind, pragmatic business sense, and unparalleled strategic leadership. Mike’s assignments included serving as the director of MTMC TEA, transitioning it to TRANSCOM at Scott AFB, IL; becoming the chief of staff, the Logistics Innovation Agency at Fort Belvoir, VA; and serving as the Army G-4 as the G-44M at the Pentagon. Mike finally returned to Fort Lee, VA as the president of the Army Logistics University. In each of his assignments, Mike’s first priority was to help the American soldier.

Not content with just a prestigious career, Mike continuously gave back to his community by mentoring and developing many young people. He presented the West Point Leadership Award to deserving students at Richmond-area high schools on behalf of the West Point Society of Richmond. Mike also gave everything that he had to the professional development of the officers and NCOs, WOs, and Army civilians who came to the Logistics University, transforming them into consummate logisticians and leaders of character. Whether a three-star general or a brand-new logistics NCO, Michael Williams, our beloved classmate, made time for them.

Working with Mike was professionally rewarding and fulfilling, but playing golf with him was an absolute blast. Mike loved to play. He liked to play early, play very quickly, and never walked the course with his teammates (but always assisted in walking—he called it “exercising”—with his wife). They say that you learn a lot about a person on the golf course, and anyone who played with Mike could report that he was the same person on or off the course. He was always positive, upbeat, and smiling regardless of the shot. But, as he relaxed throughout the round, Mike became open and honest with us about what he found important. He spoke often of his devoted daughter, Brooke Britt (James); his mother, Patricia Williams; his stepdaughter, Delaney Wallace; and his stepson, Thomas Wallace IV. However, he, above all, spoke deeply and passionately about his beloved wife, Diane, his enduring source of love and happiness.

Thank you, our beloved Mike, for a life well lived; you have earned your rest. Let it be said…“Well Done!”

— Mark Hopson ’83