Garry Gene Williams is the son of Leonard Williams and Mary Etta Lancaster of Roby, Mo. He was born Sept. 9, 1942, in Evening Shade, Mo., and departed in life at 1 p.m. Aug. 12, 2017, at Texas County Memorial Hospital, Houston, Mo.
They moved from their farm which was on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in the 1940s.Their farm originally was a land grant from President Grover Cleveland.
Garry accepted the Lord as his Savior as a very young man. Garry met and married his great love in life, Karen Hart Williams, and her three small children in 1985; for we were a package deal from the very beginning.
Garry and Karen lived in Plato/Evening Shade, Mo. Garry was preceded in death by his father; mother; older brother, Chester (killed in WWII); brothers, Hadley, Troy Joe and Leland; and grandson, Charles McClure (killed in Kuwait in May, 2013).
He is survived by his wife, Karen of the home; his children, Karrie of Mokane, Mo., Jeremy of Evening Shade, Mo., and Robert of San Francisco, Calif.; grandchildren, Kayla Mc Clure of Little Rock, Ark., Kayce McClure of Columbia, Mo., Alton McClure of Clark, Mo., Victoria Rose of Fulton, Mo., Karissa Lea of Mokane, Mo., Pastan Jo and Corbin Gene of New Bloomfield, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Robbie Lee, Kalayna Rose and Patrick Dean; special son and great friend, Alan (Joker) Davis of Plato, Mo.; Huree Marsh (Uncle) of Cisco, Texas, Robert Simonelli and Misty Bykowsky of Plato, Mo.; sisters, Emma Lou Garrett of Columbia, Mo., Patsy and James Niebruegge of Plato, Mo., and Hester and Elster Kinniard of Maryland Heights, Mo.; and brother, Grover and Margarette Williams of Lynchburg, Mo.
All Garry’s life he considered himself as just a farmer. He owned Williams Roofing and Construction business for many years and was a great roofer. His son, Jeremy, started G&W Pilot Car business nine years ago. The “W” of the G&W is for Williams. Garry went to work at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for DPW. He operated a John Deere tractor with batwing and bush hog (what better job for just a farmer; and no repair bills). Garry retired from Fort Leonard Wood in 2013, after an injury on the job forced him to retire. Sure wasn’t because Garry was getting old.
Garry loved his lottery tickets. He had a system all figured out, winning many times. So it must have worked. His daughter, Karrie, used to tell him all the time, when he passed away, all she wanted was his book. He would tell her you can’t handle the book! Smile the smile he gave to so many people.
Garry and Karen and family were able to vacation in Canada to see Calgary Rodeo and Montana for the wild horses. This small town little boy sure did love going on that trip with his family.
We must not forget that 55 Olds was his pride and joy –– a gift from his son, Jeremy, for his 68th birthday.
Garry leaves behind many great, great memories. He’s loved dearly by his family and friends, nephews, nieces, cousins, really too many to name them all. Each of you know who you are and what special bond you had with Garry.
His word was his bond. A handshake sealed the deal. A great friend to many far and wide. His smile and presence will be greatly missed. His family will forever be changed from the loss of our husband, dad, brother and uncle.
Garry’s family would like to thank everyone for all your thoughts and prayers, visits and home cooked meals we received during Garry’s last couple of months with us.
Services were 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Roby Christian Church with Eugene Earp officiating. Burial was in Palace Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Glen Mosher, Robert Simonelli, Alan Davis, Pastan Gladden, Victoria Gladden, Karissa Sandfort and Alton McClure. Honorary pallbearers were Grover Williams, James Niebruegge and William Hall.
Memorials may be made to Palace Cemetery, in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.