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Dan “Shermon” Williams died peacefully at his home on Saturday after battling stage 4 cancer.

The Pike County community rallied around Williams and his family over the past two months, raising money through a partnership with Hook’s BBQ to support his medical treatments and his family.

“I want to thank everybody for their support during this time,” said Marquetta Williams, Shermon’s wife.

“Shermon was loved by all who knew him for his enthusiasm for life,” said Amy Reeves Drinkard, friend of Shermon and his family. “He never let cancer define him, but instead made the most of every day while exemplifying the love of Christ. He was always thinking of others above himself. Whether it was being a husband and father, a baseball coach, or an active church member, Shermon devoted himself wholeheartedly and became an inspiration to everyone.”

“The support from this community has been unbelievable,” said Jason Jones, who helped coordinate the fundraiser. “It will be used to take care of bills; they were a single-income family. This money will be used to help them have a normal life.”

While in hospice care, Shermon was honored by the Alabama Department of Transportation, where he was employed, as “Employee of the Quarter.”

“Out of 4,400 employees, they only select 11 for this honor and he was graciously selected by his peers and management for the work he did with ALDOT,” “When they learned that he would be unable to attend the award ceremony due to hospitalization, the deputy director and management came to his room to have an award ceremony … (it) was a beautiful day for Shermon. He was surrounded by so much love, all his family and many special friends.”

Now ALDOT is planning a new Boston butt fundraiser on December 13 to continue supporting the Williams family.