Ray Williams

RAY WILLIAMS Ray Marvin Williams, son of Willie Edward and Geneva Watson Williams, was born September 23, 1924, in Tiskilwa, Illinois. He departed this life Friday, July 29, 2011, in Ozark Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of eighty-six years, ten months and six days. On March 29, 1948, in Moline, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Joyce Elaine Ruberg and to this union three children were born. Together they shared sixty-three years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harold Williams; a half-brother, Rodney and a half-sister, Shirley. He is survived by his wife, Joyce "Jo" Williams of the home; three children, Michael Williams and wife Kathie "Katie", Sherrie Browning and husband Ken and Kris Williams all of Camdenton, Missouri; four grandchildren, K.J. Shultz of Kansas City, Missouri, Amanda Adams and husband Joshua of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jessica Williams and Michael Browning both of Camdenton, Missouri; a great-grandson, Aiden Goodwin; two sisters-in-law, Mary Pell of Princeton, Illinois and Shirley Williams of Tiskilwa, Illinois, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Ray was raised in Bureau County, Illinois and graduated from high school in Tiskilwa. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country in World War II. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to Illinois, where he began a career in the Auto Body business. He went on to start and operate his own auto body shop. In 1973, the family relocated to Lake of the Ozarks. He worked in marine sales until he built and was owner of Williams Marine on Shawnee Bend #2 in Sunrise Beach. He retired in 1996 and he and Jo moved to Camdenton. Ray made a profession of faith in 1975 and became a very active member of First Baptist Church of Sunrise Beach for over thirty-five years. He served as Trustee, Men's Sunday School Teacher, and Deacon. He was honored to be named Deacon Emeritus. Ray had a great interest in planes, so much so that he pursued and acquired his pilot license for flying small planes. He also loved spending time working in his shop. But the thing he treasured most was spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. The family would like to extend their appreciation and big thank you to the staff of Ozark Rehabilitation and Health Care Center and Dr. Wang and his staff at the Lake Regional Cancer Center for the loving and wonderful care and compassion shown to Ray and the family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2011, in First Baptist Church of Sunrise Beach under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton. Burial with military honors will follow in Garber Memorial Estates, Laurie. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Sunrise Beach and left at the funeral home or the church the day of the service. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.