Stevie Bernard Williams

Funeral Service for Mr. Stevie Bernard Williams, 59 of Hartselle, Alabama will be 2:00PM Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home with Rev. Mitchell Cowley officiating and Reynolds Funeral Home directing. Inhumation will follow in Hartselle Cemetery. The Family will receive friends Sunday from 1:00PM until 2:00PM in Hartselle Heritage Funeral. Public viewing will be Saturday from 1:00PM until 5:00PM at Reynolds Funeral Home.  

Stevie Bernard Williams was born April 2, 1963 to Shelby E. (Shelvie) Williams, Jr. and Edith Anne Tapscott Williams in Morgan County. Alabama .  He entered into eternal rest on Monday, November 14, 2022 in Somerville, Alabama.

Stevie was baptized at an early age and joined in fellowship with Hartselle First Missionary Baptist Church.  As an adult, he connected with and was in fellowship with different congregations.  He developed a close relationship with Rev. Endia J Scruggs and Madkins Chapel CPA Church. Most recently he was under the leadership of Minister Mitchell Cowley and Ward Chapel Church.

Stevie was educated in Hartselle Alabama and was a 1982 graduate of Hartselle High School. Stevie excelled in sports but, he was an exceptional standout football player across northern Alabama. Because Stevie could seek out a hole on any play on the playing field, Stevie was given the name Birddog.  Birddog had exceptional speed and extraordinary football abilities against his opponents. Stevie’s classmate, John Eric Burnum stated the following:  Stevie was a really good guy.  Stevie always had a smile on his face. If you have been a lifetime Hartselle Tiger fan, you know that Stevie was arguably one of the best athletes in Hartselle High School history. Stevie was two times all State RB and received a scholarship to Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.  In 1980, Stevie was awarded 1st team All-State RB by beating out an athlete named Bo Jackson! He was also 2nd team All State in 1981.  As far as I can ascertain he is the only Hartselle RB to make both 1st Team All-State and 2nd Team All State in two consecutive years. Stevie’s explosive running style and speed led Hartselle all the way to Alabama State Championship contention in 1980 and again in 1981.

After playing at Iowa State University, Birddog transferred and played football under the leadership of Sparky Woods at Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina. Stevie’s heart never left Hartselle so he decided to end his football career and returned home to Alabama.  Stevie developed a career as a premier painter in the Hartselle/Decatur communities.  Stevie was a very sought-after painter and friends and family would seek out his services throughout North Alabama.

Stevie loved his family and could start a conversation with any stranger.  He had a caring heart and if he had an issue with you it wouldn’t last long.  Birddog was quick to forgive.  Stevie was proud of his children and his favorite title was “Papa”.  His nieces and nephews fondly called him, “Uncle Stevie”.

Stevie was preceded in death by his father, his grandparents;  Shelvie and Knewtie Bell Williams, Bertie and Ethel Tapscott, and Essic Johnson;  his brothers, Fredrick Earl Williams and Craig Leo Williams; sister, Darlene Williams; brothers-in-law, Bobby L. Chapman, and James Albert Smith, III. 

Stevie “Birddog” is survived by:  his son, Brandon Chatman, Hartselle, AL; daughters, Paige Chatman & Tanisha Williams of Decatur, AL; grandchildren, Maliyah Chatman, West Williams & Madison Chatman of Decatur, AL; his mother, Edith Anne Williams, Hartselle, AL; brothers, Jeffrey Williams (Cynthia), and Derrick Williams (Maritta) of Hartselle, AL; sisters, Linda Williams Chapman, Priceville, AL; Renate Williams and Joyce Williams Smith of Hartselle, AL. three uncles, Don Wayne Williams (Sandra) of Locust Grove, GA,  Larry Williams (Carolyn) of Decatur, AL, and Bruce Davis of Chicago, IL; an aunt, Carolyn Yvonne Leamon of Huntsville, AL; sisters-in-law, Fatima Williams of Antioch, TN and Cathy Williams of Hartselle, AL; a dear companion, Lisa Gray and her family; the family of Karen “Tina” Chatman; the family of Connie Sue Swoopes; god-sister, Hilma “Bedrock” Chatman; childhood friend, Mike Garner and a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives, and friends.

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