Dewayne Williams

By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

A relief fund has been established for a Yazoo County veteran who was severely injured in an automobile accident last week.
Dewayne “Booger” Williams  remains in a Hattiesburg hospital as his community prays for his recovery.
“We have set up a relief fund at BankPlus,” said Edward “Tra” Ferrell. “We are asking that donations be deposited at any BankPlus branch.”
The fund is designated as the Elmer Dewayne Williams Relief Fund.
Ferrell said there will also be a Fill the Boot drive today from 8 a.m. until noon in Bentonia.
“We will be at the intersections asking for donations to try to fill these boots up,” Ferrell said.
Williams, a Tri-County Academy graduate, enlisted in the military a couple of months before he graduated from high school.
The Little Yazoo native re-enlisted after watching the September 11 attacks on television. After serving two tours overseas, he was immediately drawn back in.
“After watching the towers fall...I knew it was time for me to get back and do something about it,” he said in a 2011 interview with The Herald.
During his service, Williams helped train the Iraqi police. He spent most of his time training them how to effectively operate their prison system, which had grown out of control.
Williams returned home last year after four tours overseas with the Army National Guard. He serves as a mechanic at the local National Guard unit.
Williams was at Camp Shelby assisting with training when the accident occurred.
Aside from his commitment to his country, Williams is also dedicated to his family and hometown.
His young sons, Michael and Joseph, are his constant companions.
Williams and his wife, Cannon, had also recently established Second Chance Farms after they rescued several neglected horses. Discovering a Yazoo County pasture full of dead and starving horses, the couple spearheaded a campaign to save the remaining animals.
The farm gives abused horses a true second chance with the Williams family offering food, medicine, care and love to the recovering horses. All expenses come out of their own pockets or through donations.
“He did a lot on the side to fund that operation,” Ferrell said. “Those rescued horses are being taken care of right now. But the food is eventually going to run out.”
Donations collected through the boot drive and relief fund will go toward Williams’ medical expenses and the operation of Second Chance Farms.