Aug. 21, 1983 - Dec. 17, 2013

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. 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 will be Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Granger Community Church, 630 E. University Drive, Granger.

Funeral services will at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Granger Community Church. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the funeral.

Pastor Dr. Mark Beeson and Pastor Mark Waltz will officiate. Interment will follow at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail will render graveside military honors.

Funeral arrangements are 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.

Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com .

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