Melvin Louis Williams

BELGRADE – Melvin Louis Williams, 97, of Belgrade, passed away on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta, Maine. He was born on Nov. 21, 1928, in Fort Fairfield, Maine, the second son of Guy Joseph Williams and Pauline Marie (Deschesne) Williams. Guy passed away from tuberculosis in 1940.

He attended High School in Fort Fairfield briefly. In 1945, he, along with his mother and five siblings, moved to Waterville where Mel attended Waterville High School.

In 1946, Mel enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps at the age of 17 with the permission of his mother and served for three years attaining the rank of Sergeant while stationed at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor. While in the Army Air Corps, Mel obtained his GED and was discharged at the completion of his initial enlistment. Returning to Waterville he attended Coburn Classical Institute to further his education.

In 1950, Mel was recalled to active duty for the Korean Conflict and served in Alaska for three years. During that tour of duty, he married the girl next door, Odile Helena Gagnon, from Francis Street, Waterville, on August 8, 1953, at Ladd Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska. They were married for 59 years until Odile passed away on Dec. 24, 2012. Mel and Odile were faithful and devout Catholics with a great love for God and passed that faith on to his children. Mel remained on Active Duty as a career Noncommissioned Officer achieving the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant at a time in the Air Force when there were more full Colonels than Chiefs. He served with pride as a paralegal and Legal Administrator within the USAF Judge Advocate General branch, culminating as the Senior NCO for all JAG offices across United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE). His military career took him to Colorado, Missouri, Alaska, Texas, Maine, England, Libya, Germany, Virginia and Louisiana. He retired after 22 years of service in 1969.

While in the military, he earned his GED, a BA from the University of Maryland and Master’s Degree from University of Southern California. Pursuing education was a hallmark of his life, and he also attained a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies from UMO during the 1970s.

Upon his military retirement, he brought his family back to Maine, where Mel began his 20-year career in education. He taught 7th and 8th Grade at Leroy H. Smith School in Winterport. In 1974, he was hired as the principal of Williams Junior High School in Oakland until his retirement in 1989.

Mel was very dedicated and involved in charitable work while in the Winterport Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus in Waterville. He was a 4th Degree Knight and served as the Grand Knight with the Waterville Assembly in the 1980s. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion.

After his retirement from School Administration, he and Odile divided time between The Villages in Florida and their camp on Great Pond in Belgrade. They also enjoyed attending USAF Paralegal reunions across the country. He was an avid golfer and reader.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Odile, siblings, Reginald V. Williams, Philip Richard Williams, Paul Williams, Erlon Williams, Guy Joseph Williams and JoAnn Nivison.

Mel is survived by his children, Guy Timothy Williams (Lisa) of Florida, Susan Schug (Eric) of Maryland, Nicole Williams of Belgrade and Terence Williams (Susan) of Tennessee; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville. An interment will follow at 2 p.m. at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta.

His family would like to thank Jessica Schug RN for her support and comfort of her grandfather and the nursing staff on 3 West for their care and kindness to Mel.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed; condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

Melvin Louis Williams