Don Williams

Don B. Williams Donald Buel "Donnie" Williams, son of John Vernon Williams and Wanita Winfrey Rowlette, was born, October 8, 1942 in Osage Beach, Missouri. He departed this life, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in his mother's home on the family farm surrounded by his family, at the age of sixty-seven years, six months and twelve days. On June 15, 1963 in El Centro, California, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Hartley and to this union, six children were born. Together they shared the past years forty-six years of marriage. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amelia Jane Tull. Survivors include his wife, Mary Williams of the home; six children, John Williams and wife Tammy of Camdenton, Missouri; Donnie Williams, Jr. of Linn Creek, Missouri; Michelle Smith and husband Michael of Camdenton, Missouri, Nathan Williams and wife Tiffany of Linn Creek, Missouri; Sara Weber of Linn Creek, Missouri and Joe Muscia and wife Patty of Linn Creek, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; his father, John Vernon Williams and wife Mary of Camdenton, Missouri; his mother, Wanita Rowlette of Linn Creek, Missouri; a brother, Jimmy Williams and wife Cheryl of Camdenton, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Martha Hartley of Linn Creek, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Jim Hartley and wife Connie and Buddy Hartley and wife Linda all of Yuma, Arizona and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Don was raised in the Camdenton area and was a high school graduate of the School of the Ozarks. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea in the early sixties. While in the Navy, he met Mary Jane Hartley and after their marriage made their home in El Centro, California. They eventually moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he was the manager of Dodge City West. They returned to Camden County where he managed his father's Chrysler dealership, Williams Motors. In 1978, he was elected to serve the citizens of Camden County as the Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds. He held that position until his retirement in 2002 after twenty-four years of service. He made a profession of faith and was baptized at an early age at the Methodist Church at School of the Ozarks. He attended Linn Creek United Methodist Church throughout the years. Don was the founding member of the Belgian Blue Cattle Association. He raised the first Belgian Blue bull born in the state of Missouri. He traveled throughout the country showing his cattle and winning numerous awards. He has also been a member of the Camden County Republican Club and the Osage Beach Lions Club. In his spare time he enjoyed farming and his cattle. He enjoyed traveling in his travel trailer and always grew a big garden. He had recently begun doing genealogy work and had traced his family's history back to the original Jamestown. Most of all, he enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed teaching them things about the outdoors and nature. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life, accomplishments and service to the citizens of Camden County and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010, in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will follow in Freedom Cemetery, Montreal. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Regional Hospice and left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.