A Freeport native serving in the U.S. Navy was killed earlier this month while stationed in Bahrain.

Austin Thomas Williams, 22, died in Manama, Bahrain, after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the road with friends on April 5, according to his obituary.

A graduate of Freeport High School, he participated in cross country, track, chorus, theater and Young Life. An avid runner, he was recognizable because Williams wore “excessively” vibrant colors while he ran.

Not only was he always himself, Williams was described as kind, positive and full of life, with a “zest” for life that was infectious.

“An inclusive soul, he reveled in his diverse group of friends and was always on the search for the next big adventure,” the obituary states.

Williams was also described as a man of deep faith, who strove to find the right place and right people for worship.

It was during his junior year of high school that Williams began serving his country as an active duty member of the U.S. Navy. After he graduated high school, he attended boot camp and Enginemen A-School in Great Lakes, Illinois. He transferred to C-School in Coronado, California, and then reported to Joint Base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii where he completed his first tour of duty.

Williams then advanced to Enginemen Second Class and earned his warfare qualification. He’d just re-enlisted for six years and in March transferred to the USS Sentry, a mine countermeasure ship homeported in Manama, Bahrain.

“His impact was immediate and his sense of duty and pride immense,” his obituary states. “Austin absolutely loved being a sailor and part of the United States Navy team.”

As evidence of his long-lasting impact, the Freeport High School Class of 2014 launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to ensure that Williams will be remembered.

“In honor of Austin’s life and the love and friendships he leaves behind, the Freeport High School Class of 2014 is looking to raise money for a memorial bench to place at the high school’s new track and a scholarship in Austin’s name for graduating students that share his passion for many extracurriculars and the friendships formed within them,” writes the campaign creator Sydney Horkan.

The memorial bench is expected to cost approximately $3,000. Due to the generosity of donors, Horkan announced there will be $500 scholarships in Williams’ honor, which as of now, will last nearly 20 years. To donate visit gf.me/u/h3s32r.

“Austin Williams was a young man who lived with excitement and passion for everything he was a part of,” Horkan wrote.

dmoore@timesrecord.com