David Robert McWilliams

David Robert McWilliams, 100, of Eubank, passed away on June 28, 2022 at Jean Waddle Care Center.

He was born March 7, 1922 in Woodstock; son of the late Benjamin Harrison & Bessie (Elder) McWilliams. He worked as a truck driver for Pulaski County Road Department and was a member of Woodstock Baptist Church. He worked hard all his life and enjoyed music and farming.

Like so many young men of his generation, David was drafted into the United States Army. After he completed basic training, his superiors discovered he had experience which set him apart - the fact he had driven a tractor for years. In the eyes of the U.S. Army, this uniquely qualified him to drive a tank. He then trained in Louisiana, Kansas, and California before being sent to England where he selflessly gave other enlisted men his weekend passes, choosing to stay on base and work so that others could enjoy some time off before seeing combat. David proudly served in the 9th Armored Division, 14th Tank Battalion, C Company, 1st Platoon where he drove his Sherman tank across the battlefields of Europe, fearlessly engaging the enemy in support of the Allied Cause. Among many skirmishes, most notably he saw action at the Battle of the Bulge, where he helped save entrenched members of the 101st Airborne. (If you were to ask a member of the Screaming Eagles, they never needed saving.) His proudest accomplishment, however, was being part of the unit that was first to cross the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany. There, on the day after his 23rd birthday, he drove his 33 ton tank over 1,000 feet of the rickety remains of the Ludendorff Bridge, giving Allied forces a foothold into the interior of Germany, thus helping to swiftly end the war. After victory was declared in Europe, David oversaw security and assisted many German soldiers in finding a ride home, a pack of smokes, or a friendly smile, harboring no ill will toward his former foe. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the 30th Infantry Division, where he was forced to give up his tank and pick up a rifle in anticipation of invading the Japanese mainland. Fortunately, the war ended prior to his deployment, culminating with perhaps his most beloved wartime memory - pulling into New York Harbor on the Queen Mary while being serenaded by the Andrew Sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Mildred (Evans) McWilliams; a son, Steve & (Sandra) McWilliams; two daughters, Patty & (Pat) Patterson and Stephanie Crowe; two sisters, Roberta Poynter and Wilma Wilburn; five grandchildren, Stephen Ryan & (Missy) McWilliams, Shelley Lynn & (Jonathan) Alford, Suzanne Nicole & (Derek) Todd, Patrick & (Jessie) Patterson, and Bradley & (Lindsey) Scott Crowe; eleven great-grandchildren, Sharla Lynn Alford, Justin Thomas Alford, Jake David Alford, Joshua William Alford, Ross Alan Todd, Layla Nicole Todd, Nolan Ryder Todd, Shelby Lynn McWilliams, Gavin Reed McWilliams, Sabrina Elizabeth Alford, and Benjamin David Crowe.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Margaret McWilliams and Anna Mae Nicely.

A funeral service will be held 12:00 PM Friday, July 1, 2022 at the Chapel of Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Griffin officiating.

Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post # 38.

Burial will be in Woodstock Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home.

The family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Hospice of Lake Cumberland.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.morrisandhislope.com