Dear Mama: A Message to My Mom Pearl Williams, Who 25 Years Later Has Forgotten Losing Her Son Dwayne on 9/11

My mom, Pearl Williams, does not remember the Major Dwayne Williams Golf Classic nor her 9/11 hero son. I do. That's why I'm bringing the tourney back to honor their legacies and raise scholarships in his memory.

Written By Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams, Birmingham, Ala.

MAMA MAY NOT REMEMBER THE TOURNAMENT. I DO. 💔

And that’s why I’m bringing it back.

Dear Mama,

I know you can't remember me anymore.

And I know you don't remember the horror our family experienced when you lost your oldest son, my oldest  brother, Major Dwayne Williams, when terrorists attacked the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

I found that out for the first time a few weeks ago when I visited you at your Anniston nursing home on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 on September 11, 2026.

Earlier that day, I had hosted a “Jacksonville Salutes a Hometown Hero” ceremony at the Major Dwayne Williams Pentagon Monument in the historic Jacksonville Cemetery,  the monument you worked so hard to build, raising $20,000 to make sure your son would never be forgotten.

Then I came to see you.

I brought with me an incredible front-page story about Dwayne that reporter Sherry Kughn wrote for The Anniston Star. I couldn't wait to show it to you.

But when I showed you the newspaper, you weren't fazed.

You didn't remember Dwayne.

And, for the first time, you didn't appear to recognize me either, your son Roy, the twin brother who has been visiting you at your nursing home for the past five years.

I knew this day was coming.

But knowing it was coming didn't prepare me for actually experiencing it.

It was heartbreaking to realize that the woman who spent 25 years making sure the world remembered her son could no longer remember the pain of losing him.

But Mama, even though you don't remember, I do.

And I want you to know something:

We're all right.

Your work over the past 25 years has paid off.

Unlike so many of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on 9/11, Dwayne has not been

forgotten.

I have picked up your torch — and I've made sure of that.

I've done dozens of television interviews and written dozens of stories about Dwayne and the positive impact he continues to have on people's lives.

And now, Mama, I'm doing something else you would understand.

I'm bringing back your golf tournament.

For more than a decade, you hosted the Major Dwayne Williams Memorial Golf Classic, raising money for the Major Dwayne Williams scholarship you established at our alma mater, Jacksonville State University.

Now I'm bringing the tournament back.

But I'm also expanding what you started.

I'm building the Roy L. Williams Legacy Foundation, which will expand beyond raising scholarship money to continue supporting the Major Dwayne Williams scholarships at Jacksonville State University and the one his widow established at the University of North Alabama. My foundation will also create opportunities to honor Dwayne's legacy here in the Birmingham area and Patrice’s alma mater of Ragland High School.

Your legacy and Dwayne's legacy will live on through me and the work I continue to do.

Alzheimer's may be taking away your memories, Mama. But it will not erase what you accomplished.

Your work was not in vain. Your son wasn't forgotten. And neither will you be.

I love you, Mama.

Your son,

Roy Williams, Birmingham, Alabama

READ MORE ABOUT MAMA, DWAYNE AND WHY I'M BRINGING THE TOURNAMENT BACK - Respect. Honor. Serve.

Honoring Mom & Dwayne: Why I’m Bringing Back the Major Dwayne Williams Golf Classic

https://www.silverfoxwilliamstwins.com/post/my-mom-doesn-t-remember-the-golf-tournament-she-started-honoring-her-9-11-hero-son-i-do-that-s-why

 Bringing Back the Major Dwayne Williams Golf Classic… And Picking Up my Mom’s Torch

https://www.silverfoxwilliamstwins.com/post/silver-fox-twin-roy-bringing-back-my-brother-s-golf-tournament-and-picking-up-my-mother-s-torch

🏌🏽‍♂️ The Major Dwayne Williams Memorial Golf Classic is just FIVE WEEKS AWAY!

📅 Monday, November 9, 2026

⏰ 8 a.m. shotgun start

📍 Silos Golf Club, 7905 Roper Road, Trussville, Ala. 35173

🏌🏽‍♂️ $125 per player, 4 person scramble

🍽️ Entry fee covers lunch, swag bags, entry in the hole-in-one contest (If someone hits the lucky shot they receive $10,000; if multiple winners, they split the prize), entry in putting contest, longest drive and closest to pin contests.

PLAYER SPOTS AND SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register your team, sign up to play, become a sponsor or learn more about the tournament.

REGISTER YOUR TEAM OR SIGN UP FOR SPONSORSHIPS AT THIS LINK Registration Site Link: https://events.golfstatus.com/event/88880ac8-431a-422f-bc0f-879e2f1748a9 

SEE THE FULL TOURNAMENT FLYER & QR CODE BELOW