Kenneth Williams

SIKESTON, Mo. -- On the beautiful Spring morning of Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Kenneth D. Williams made his journey home to Jesus. He was 87 years old.

Born Sept. 8, 1933, to the late Andrew Leroy and Claribel Robinson Williams in Jackson, Tennessee, he was the fifth of seven siblings. He is survived by his youngest sister, Clara Lynn Williams of Jackson, Tennessee.

After earning an agricultural degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, he continued his education with a degree in business and chemistry from the University Of Tennessee in Chattanooga. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

In the Army, he served at Fort Jackson, North Carolina; Albany, Georgia, and at Elmendorf Air-force Base in Alaska.

On Aug. 31, 1958, he married Nancy Lou Moore. They were blessed with three children and a beautiful life. He was preceded in death by Nancy in 2009 and his eldest daughter Tera in 2012.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Williams Comish/Brian of Highland, Illinois, and his son, Stephen Williams/Jackie of Sikeston.

Kenneth (Grandpa) had seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Allison/Ross Sindle (Reese); Parker Williams; Madeline Williams; Emily Comish; Jordan Comish; Johanna Comish and Timothy Comish.

His employment included the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Swift & Company; Midwest Dairy and Columbia Dairy. He retired as vice president/treasurer after 30 years with Production Credit Association of Southeast Missouri. However, farming was his passion. He was actively involved in Williams Farms until recent months.

Kenneth was a 50-year "perfect attendance" member of the Sikeston Rotary Club, where he received the highest honor as a Paul Harris Fellow.

As a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, he taught the Open Fellowship Class for many years.

Through church, God brought him love again with Ginger Ashley Williams. They married on June 20, 2015, and had six years of happiness before his illness. Kenneth is survived by Ginger; her son, Don D. Ashley of Georgia, and daughter, Sherry Ashley of Arkansas.

Kenneth D. "Grandpa" Williams was a true Southern gentleman: Hardworking, humble and kind. He will be missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston,

Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, with Pastor Mike Wondel officiating. Interment will follow immediately at the Forrest Hill Memorial Park Cemetery at Morley, Missouri.

Services under the direction of Ponder Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Memorial donations may be sent to Methodist Men, c/o First United Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO 63801 or Sikeston Rotary Club, P.O. Box 311, Sikeston, MO 63801.