ELKHART — Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, 30, U.S. Army, was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in the Shajau district of Zabul province in Afghanistan, when he and his fellow soldiers were involved in a crash of an American Black Hawk transport helicopter.
Staff Sgt. Williams was recently deployed to Afghanistan with his unit, Headquarters Company, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilseck, Germany.
He was born Aug. 21, 1983, in Elkhart to Thomas I. Williams and Deborah M. (Bussard) Passerallo.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Deborah M. and Sam Passerallo of Elkhart; father, Thomas I. (Tammy) Williams of Goshen; daughter, Madison Louise Williams of Elkhart; two sisters, Rosanna Lynn (Bill) Golupski of South Bend and Sandra K. Williams of Goshen; a stepbrother, Sam (Hillary) Passerallo III of Elkhart; a stepsister, Angela Passerallo of Elkhart; grandmother Judy Williams of Goshen; grandfathers Donald G. Bussard and Bernard Hartogh, both of Elkhart; five nephews; and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Hartogh; and paternal grandfather T. (Thomas/Tom) Lyman Williams.
Jesse attended Elkhart Central High School and in 2006 completed the U.S. Army basic training course at Fort Jackson, S.C., while attached to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry.
Staff Sgt. Williams' first assignment was in Illesheim, Germany, with D CO, 412th ASB from January 2007 to February 2009. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and worked in the electronics warfare shop at the divisional level from January 2009 to January 2012. During this time he attended and graduated from Air Assault School.
Staff Sgt. Williams was deployed three times, once to Iraq with the 412th ASB from 2007 to 2008, once to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne from 2010 to 2011, and once with the 2CR starting in July 2013.
The United States of America will be forever indebted for the honorable and courageous service Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams willingly gave to his country.
Visitation was on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Granger Community Church. Additional visitation was held two hours prior to the funeral.
Pastor Dr. Mark Beeson and Pastor Mark Waltz officiated. Interment follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail render graveside military honors.
Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jesse's daughter at the Madison L. Williams Benefit Fund at any Key Bank location, or to Wounded Warrior Project.
Obituary Published: Elkhart Truth, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013
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The following information has been provided by: C.J. Hinds (#46797541)
ANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- International Security Assistance Force officials have released the name of Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, a Soldier who died in a helicopter crash, Dec 17. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie Williams, his daughter, Madison L. Williams and stepdaughter Alexia Sigman.
Williams, 30, whose home of record Elkhart, Ind., enlisted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., in July Feb. 2006. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Williams' awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
His fellow Soldiers describe Williams as a highly motivated Soldier who lived life with great passion and loved his job as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. He had a kind heart and was a good man to his fellow Soldiers. The way he lived was an inspiration that provided many valuable lessons on how to live life to the fullest.
A memorial service will be held for Williams at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 21 and at his home station of Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, on a date yet to be determined.
The 2d Cavalry Regiment would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and we will truly miss our fallen Dragoon and the sacrifice he made for his country.
************ ************ **********
Notification received on 12/18/2013
Last Updated Dec 17, 2013 11:30 AM EST. KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six U.S. troops were killed Tuesday when their Blackhawk helicopter made a hard landing.
One survivor was rescued after a helicopter went down in a rugged area of southern Afghanistan.
The situation became desperate when the helicopter's seven-man crew came under heavy enemy fire (ISAF)
ELKHART, Ind. -- An Elkhart native was killed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 when the helicopter he was flying in went down.
He (Jessie) graduated from Elkhart Central High School and he leaves behind his 6 year old daughter (Madison) besides his Mother (Debbie Bussard Passerallo). --
Staff Sgt. Williams was recently deployed to Afghanistan with his unit, Headquarters Company, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilseck, Germany.
He was born Aug. 21, 1983, in Elkhart to Thomas I. Williams and Deborah M. (Bussard) Passerallo.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Deborah M. and Sam Passerallo of Elkhart; father, Thomas I. (Tammy) Williams of Goshen; daughter, Madison Louise Williams of Elkhart; two sisters, Rosanna Lynn (Bill) Golupski of South Bend and Sandra K. Williams of Goshen; a stepbrother, Sam (Hillary) Passerallo III of Elkhart; a stepsister, Angela Passerallo of Elkhart; grandmother Judy Williams of Goshen; grandfathers Donald G. Bussard and Bernard Hartogh, both of Elkhart; five nephews; and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Hartogh; and paternal grandfather T. (Thomas/Tom) Lyman Williams.
Jesse attended Elkhart Central High School and in 2006 completed the U.S. Army basic training course at Fort Jackson, S.C., while attached to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry.
Staff Sgt. Williams' first assignment was in Illesheim, Germany, with D CO, 412th ASB from January 2007 to February 2009. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and worked in the electronics warfare shop at the divisional level from January 2009 to January 2012. During this time he attended and graduated from Air Assault School.
Staff Sgt. Williams was deployed three times, once to Iraq with the 412th ASB from 2007 to 2008, once to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne from 2010 to 2011, and once with the 2CR starting in July 2013.
The United States of America will be forever indebted for the honorable and courageous service Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams willingly gave to his country.
Visitation was on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Granger Community Church. Additional visitation was held two hours prior to the funeral.
Pastor Dr. Mark Beeson and Pastor Mark Waltz officiated. Interment follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail render graveside military honors.
Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jesse's daughter at the Madison L. Williams Benefit Fund at any Key Bank location, or to Wounded Warrior Project.
Obituary Published: Elkhart Truth, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013
### #### ### #### ### ####
The following information has been provided by: C.J. Hinds (#46797541)
ANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- International Security Assistance Force officials have released the name of Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, a Soldier who died in a helicopter crash, Dec 17. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie Williams, his daughter, Madison L. Williams and stepdaughter Alexia Sigman.
Williams, 30, whose home of record Elkhart, Ind., enlisted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., in July Feb. 2006. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Williams' awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
His fellow Soldiers describe Williams as a highly motivated Soldier who lived life with great passion and loved his job as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. He had a kind heart and was a good man to his fellow Soldiers. The way he lived was an inspiration that provided many valuable lessons on how to live life to the fullest.
A memorial service will be held for Williams at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 21 and at his home station of Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, on a date yet to be determined.
The 2d Cavalry Regiment would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and we will truly miss our fallen Dragoon and the sacrifice he made for his country.
************ ************ **********
Notification received on 12/18/2013
Last Updated Dec 17, 2013 11:30 AM EST. KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six U.S. troops were killed Tuesday when their Blackhawk helicopter made a hard landing.
One survivor was rescued after a helicopter went down in a rugged area of southern Afghanistan.
The situation became desperate when the helicopter's seven-man crew came under heavy enemy fire (ISAF)
ELKHART, Ind. -- An Elkhart native was killed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 when the helicopter he was flying in went down.
He (Jessie) graduated from Elkhart Central High School and he leaves behind his 6 year old daughter (Madison) besides his Mother (Debbie Bussard Passerallo). --
ELKHART — Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, 30, U.S. Army, was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in the Shajau district of Zabul province in Afghanistan, when he and his fellow soldiers were involved in a crash of an American Black Hawk transport helicopter.
Staff Sgt. Williams was recently deployed to Afghanistan with his unit, Headquarters Company, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilseck, Germany.
He was born Aug. 21, 1983, in Elkhart to Thomas I. Williams and Deborah M. (Bussard) Passerallo.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Deborah M. and Sam Passerallo of Elkhart; father, Thomas I. (Tammy) Williams of Goshen; daughter, Madison Louise Williams of Elkhart; two sisters, Rosanna Lynn (Bill) Golupski of South Bend and Sandra K. Williams of Goshen; a stepbrother, Sam (Hillary) Passerallo III of Elkhart; a stepsister, Angela Passerallo of Elkhart; grandmother Judy Williams of Goshen; grandfathers Donald G. Bussard and Bernard Hartogh, both of Elkhart; five nephews; and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Hartogh; and paternal grandfather T. (Thomas/Tom) Lyman Williams.
Jesse attended Elkhart Central High School and in 2006 completed the U.S. Army basic training course at Fort Jackson, S.C., while attached to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry.
Staff Sgt. Williams' first assignment was in Illesheim, Germany, with D CO, 412th ASB from January 2007 to February 2009. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and worked in the electronics warfare shop at the divisional level from January 2009 to January 2012. During this time he attended and graduated from Air Assault School.
Staff Sgt. Williams was deployed three times, once to Iraq with the 412th ASB from 2007 to 2008, once to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne from 2010 to 2011, and once with the 2CR starting in July 2013.
The United States of America will be forever indebted for the honorable and courageous service Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams willingly gave to his country.
Visitation was on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Granger Community Church. Additional visitation was held two hours prior to the funeral.
Pastor Dr. Mark Beeson and Pastor Mark Waltz officiated. Interment follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail render graveside military honors.
Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jesse's daughter at the Madison L. Williams Benefit Fund at any Key Bank location, or to Wounded Warrior Project.
Obituary Published: Elkhart Truth, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013
### #### ### #### ### ####
The following information has been provided by: C.J. Hinds (#46797541)
ANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- International Security Assistance Force officials have released the name of Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, a Soldier who died in a helicopter crash, Dec 17. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie Williams, his daughter, Madison L. Williams and stepdaughter Alexia Sigman.
Williams, 30, whose home of record Elkhart, Ind., enlisted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., in July Feb. 2006. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Williams' awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
His fellow Soldiers describe Williams as a highly motivated Soldier who lived life with great passion and loved his job as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. He had a kind heart and was a good man to his fellow Soldiers. The way he lived was an inspiration that provided many valuable lessons on how to live life to the fullest.
A memorial service will be held for Williams at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 21 and at his home station of Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, on a date yet to be determined.
The 2d Cavalry Regiment would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and we will truly miss our fallen Dragoon and the sacrifice he made for his country.
************ ************ **********
Notification received on 12/18/2013
Last Updated Dec 17, 2013 11:30 AM EST. KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six U.S. troops were killed Tuesday when their Blackhawk helicopter made a hard landing.
One survivor was rescued after a helicopter went down in a rugged area of southern Afghanistan.
The situation became desperate when the helicopter's seven-man crew came under heavy enemy fire (ISAF)
ELKHART, Ind. -- An Elkhart native was killed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 when the helicopter he was flying in went down.
He (Jessie) graduated from Elkhart Central High School and he leaves behind his 6 year old daughter (Madison) besides his Mother (Debbie Bussard Passerallo). --
Staff Sgt. Williams was recently deployed to Afghanistan with his unit, Headquarters Company, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, based in Vilseck, Germany.
He was born Aug. 21, 1983, in Elkhart to Thomas I. Williams and Deborah M. (Bussard) Passerallo.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Deborah M. and Sam Passerallo of Elkhart; father, Thomas I. (Tammy) Williams of Goshen; daughter, Madison Louise Williams of Elkhart; two sisters, Rosanna Lynn (Bill) Golupski of South Bend and Sandra K. Williams of Goshen; a stepbrother, Sam (Hillary) Passerallo III of Elkhart; a stepsister, Angela Passerallo of Elkhart; grandmother Judy Williams of Goshen; grandfathers Donald G. Bussard and Bernard Hartogh, both of Elkhart; five nephews; and two nieces.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Hartogh; and paternal grandfather T. (Thomas/Tom) Lyman Williams.
Jesse attended Elkhart Central High School and in 2006 completed the U.S. Army basic training course at Fort Jackson, S.C., while attached to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry.
Staff Sgt. Williams' first assignment was in Illesheim, Germany, with D CO, 412th ASB from January 2007 to February 2009. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and worked in the electronics warfare shop at the divisional level from January 2009 to January 2012. During this time he attended and graduated from Air Assault School.
Staff Sgt. Williams was deployed three times, once to Iraq with the 412th ASB from 2007 to 2008, once to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne from 2010 to 2011, and once with the 2CR starting in July 2013.
The United States of America will be forever indebted for the honorable and courageous service Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams willingly gave to his country.
Visitation was on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Granger Community Church. Additional visitation was held two hours prior to the funeral.
Pastor Dr. Mark Beeson and Pastor Mark Waltz officiated. Interment follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail render graveside military honors.
Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jesse's daughter at the Madison L. Williams Benefit Fund at any Key Bank location, or to Wounded Warrior Project.
Obituary Published: Elkhart Truth, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013
### #### ### #### ### ####
The following information has been provided by: C.J. Hinds (#46797541)
ANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- International Security Assistance Force officials have released the name of Staff Sgt. Jesse Lee Williams, a Soldier who died in a helicopter crash, Dec 17. He is survived by his wife, Stefanie Williams, his daughter, Madison L. Williams and stepdaughter Alexia Sigman.
Williams, 30, whose home of record Elkhart, Ind., enlisted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., in July Feb. 2006. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Williams' awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
His fellow Soldiers describe Williams as a highly motivated Soldier who lived life with great passion and loved his job as an Electronic Warfare Specialist. He had a kind heart and was a good man to his fellow Soldiers. The way he lived was an inspiration that provided many valuable lessons on how to live life to the fullest.
A memorial service will be held for Williams at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 21 and at his home station of Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, on a date yet to be determined.
The 2d Cavalry Regiment would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and we will truly miss our fallen Dragoon and the sacrifice he made for his country.
************ ************ **********
Notification received on 12/18/2013
Last Updated Dec 17, 2013 11:30 AM EST. KABUL, Afghanistan -- Six U.S. troops were killed Tuesday when their Blackhawk helicopter made a hard landing.
One survivor was rescued after a helicopter went down in a rugged area of southern Afghanistan.
The situation became desperate when the helicopter's seven-man crew came under heavy enemy fire (ISAF)
ELKHART, Ind. -- An Elkhart native was killed on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 when the helicopter he was flying in went down.
He (Jessie) graduated from Elkhart Central High School and he leaves behind his 6 year old daughter (Madison) besides his Mother (Debbie Bussard Passerallo). --
