Roosevelt Williams was born on July 30, 1935, in the Birmingham area of Jefferson County, Alabama. He first appeared in the 1940 U.S. Federal Census as a four-year-old living in Homewood with his uncle, Booker T. Williams, his aunt Clara, and other members of the extended Williams family. Family tradition suggests that Booker T. Williams, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, inspired Roosevelt to pursue a military career.
By the 1950 U.S. Federal Census, Roosevelt was living with his parents, Albert and Julia Williams, and his siblings in Birmingham. Five years later, on January 19, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning a distinguished military career that lasted more than twenty-six years. He served until his retirement on January 31, 1981, a period that coincided with the Cold War and significant changes within the U.S. military.
Military service eventually brought Roosevelt to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, where he chose to remain after retiring. Public records document his long residence in Plattsburgh, including homes on Prospect Avenue, Rye Drive, and Concord Avenue. On June 5, 1963, he married Shirley Ashline, and together they raised a family that included four children: Cheryl, Tanalynn, Jeffrey, and George.
Roosevelt remained an active member of the Clinton County community for the rest of his life. He died on May 12, 2016, at the age of eighty and was buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Plattsburgh. His obituary also recognized his large extended family, including nine siblings, reflecting the strong family ties that shaped his life.
Roosevelt Williams’ story represents the experiences of many African Americans who migrated through military service, established roots in the North Country, and became valued members of their communities. His long career in the U.S. Air Force and decades of residence in Plattsburgh illustrate the lasting influence of military service on the history and diversity of the Lake Champlain region.