Ernest Williams

Ernest Williams, age 84, of Hagerman, passed away March 28, 2009, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. There is no service scheduled, but his cremains will be interred at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. BRBRErnest was born Nov. 8, 1924, in Vilas, Colo., to James and Hattie Williams. His first wife, Alice, his second wife, Glenna, and his third wife, Mary, preceded him in death. A daughter, Vicki Williams and a son, James Williams, also preceded him in death.BRBRHe is survived by eight sons: Ernest E. Williams of Bosque Farms, Randy and Clayton Williams of Michigan, Mike White of Hilt, Calif., Bob White of Roswell, Bill Williams of Roswell, Jesse Williams and Joseph Williams of Hagerman; three daughters: Esther Snyder of Beaumont, Calif., Martha Carter of Roswell, and Sandy White of Albuquerque; one sister: Isabelle Gordon of Canyon City, Colo.; and 29 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.BRBRErnie began operating equipment when he was 7 years old. Workmen would start his tractor for him, as he was too little to spin the flywheel to get it started, he was just barely able to operate the clutch lever to start moving, but he could steer just fine, which left the grown men free to do the heavy work. He began working full-time after he graduated the eighth grade, helping to provide for his large family.BRBRErnest was a patriotic American and served his country in WWII. He first joined the U.S. Army, but it was soon discovered that he was not 18 years old and was sent home. Then in November 1942, being old enough to serve, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served on the APA-27, an attack transport, delivering troops and supplies to numerous ports and locations around the world. He also piloted a U-boat delivering troops to the beaches in Normandy on D-Day, something that he would not speak about. He was discharged from the Navy after the Allied victory in WWII; he then joined the U.S. Army, and trained as an electrical engineer, serving honorably until his discharge in 1950.BRBRErnie's love of machinery was rekindled after his military service was complete. He began a career in road construction, which lasted for 47 years. He was a highly skilled operator of loaders, dozers, blades, cranes, rock crushers, hot plants and any machine he was running. He worked and lived in New Mexico since the early 1950s, and was involved in the birth of the interstate highway system in New Mexico. Additionally, his expertise in the operation of cranes, both for lifting and pouring of concrete gave him the opportunity to build many of New Mexico bridges. He spent many years following road construction, living in and raising his family in construction camps. In 1975, Ernie was fortunate in getting an in town job with Armstrong Construction Company, which prompted his move to Hagerman. He was in charge of the Sunset Pit, running the crusher and the hot plant; after several years, he took a job with Rose Gravel Company of Carlsbad, running their crusher and hot plant; he then took over crushing operations for the Chaves County Road Department, working there until his retirement in 1997.BRBRErnie had 14 children -technically speaking they were his, hers and ours, but each and every one was treated as his own. He passed along all of his life's lessons to each of us in the same manner. Ernie was a stern and hard man on the surface, but anyone who knew him for any time at all soon realized that hidden just below the surface was a generous man with a good heart, who wanted you to be and do your best. Ernie was a great dad who taught us many lessons in this hard way. He spent his life teaching us to be tough, hard working and self-sufficient. He succeeded and we will miss him.BRBRIf friends wish to give their condolences, they may do so online at www.lagronefuneralchapels.com. Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.BR