County hears from Senior MSgt Darryl Williams, honors former County Commissioner 

PERRY — Houston County Commissioners welcomed back a member of Robins Air Force Base to Tuesday morning’s meeting: Senior MSgt. Darryl Williams, of the Robins Air Force Base Lifecycle Management Center, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the F-15 Systems Program Office. 

Williams joined the military in 2010 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University. 

“I decided to come into the military to look for purpose as well as to do something and serve something that was bigger than myself,” Williams said. “I always enjoyed the military style and atmosphere.” 

Williams manages over 700 people between himself and the commander. He said they manage all F-15 fighter jets in the entire Air Force, which goes from the sustainment and modernization aspects. 

“We maintain these aircrafts by keeping them safe, lethal and mission ready for all the pilots that rely on them everyday,” he said. “So, every time you see a F-15 fighter jet take off, just know that there are countless hours and countless amounts of people whether they’re maintainers, engineers, analysts, logisticians, program managers; the list goes on as everybody is putting their hands to the plow to accomplish that mission.” 

Williams has been at Robins Air Force Base for about three years. He said that Robins is a little different than other bases he has been at due to them being mostly civilian. 

“[Civilians] are a big part of the mission as they hold that continuity because with the military, we move a lot, but our civilians, they remain,” he said. “It gives me a different level of respect to keep those relationships intact between the military and the civilians.”  

Before arriving at Robins, Williams went on a special duty tour to San Antonio and was a military training instructor. 

“That was an amazing tour as it really opened my eyes to leadership, giving back and being able to impact lives because that’s what I really enjoy and what I’m passionate about,” he said. 

As a leader, Williams said he aims to never forget the people behind the mission, not just the military, but in our daily lives as well. 

“I learned that leadership means to serve and serve others, and we have to remember that,” he said. “I always want to stress to get to know the people you lead or work around and get to know them on a personal level and see what they want and what their goals [are]. If they know that you care, then it will help them when it comes to making that mission a success.” 

Commissioner Shane Gottwals pointed out that Williams’ military anniversary coincides with National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. 

“May we not forget and we are reminded every time our military heroes come into these meetings. It means a lot,” he said. “You thanked us, but my goodness, we are all thanking you, and we just appreciate everything you do every day.” 

Commissioner Tal Talton expressed that he always enjoys meetings where military personnel come and speak. He said we are reminded of how blessed we are to live in the United States of America. 

“We all know that freedom does not come free so we appreciate your sacrifice, service, passion, dedication and commitment to this country,” he said. 

Towards the end of the meeting, Commissioners honored the life of former County Commissioner, Tom McMichael, who passed away over the weekend. McMichael served Post 5 for 24 years, serving alongside Commissioner Gail Robinson. 

“He was a great public servant,” Robinson said. “He loved serving the county. He loved being a County Commissioner. He loved helping people. I just wanted to express my appreciation for his service, and I just really enjoyed serving with him, being his friend and [I wanted] to thank Tom McMichael for all that he did for this county.” 

Commissioner Mark Byrd said Tom McMichael was a large part of why he decided to run for County Commissioner. 

“He encouraged me to run over the years preceding his retirement and as it got closer to time, he leaned in pretty strongly and encouraged me that it was time to step up and go, and I appreciate it,” he said. 

In new business, the county and the City of Warner Robins are collaborating to build a new senior center. In the agenda, the county had requested the Middle Georgia Regional Commission to help select an architect. Approval of such is part of the grant application process. The Board approved the selection of Praxis3, LLC of Atlanta. 

The next Houston County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m., located at the Houston County Annex on Carl Vinson Parkway. The full agenda of this meeting can be found at www.houstoncountyga.gov/minutes/2025-12-02%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf