Gerald (Ed) Edgar Junior Williams, 87, St. Joseph, MO
By: Kyle Rogers
Gerald (Ed) Edgar Junior Williams, 87, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, June 13, 2010.
Gerald was born August 11, 1922 in Horton, KS to Edgar Oscar and Alma Bell (Peckham) Williams.
Gerald moved to St. Joseph in January 1938 and enlisted in the Army in 1940. His father pulled him out of the Army for being underage, but he re-enlisted in 1943. He married Beverly Justus on August 1, 1950. They shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. She survives of the home.
While in the Army, he served honorably in World War II’s Battle of the Bulge with the 87th Infantry Division. He also served in France, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium and Korea. He was part of the Military Police in the occupation of Japan. He retired from the Armey in 1965. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #11 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Gerald was also employed with the St. Joseph School District maintenance department, Whitaker Cable and Sherwood Medical. He was a member of Patee Park Church.
Gerald enjoyed helping people. He always had time to lend a hand to family, friends and neighbors. He liked to tinker around with things that had broken and try to fix them. He also loved fishing and bowling.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Oscar and Alma Bell (Peckham); three brothers, Homer, Oscar and James Williams; and one sister, Grace Nellie Marie Williams, who died at birth; four grandchildren, Liberty Vincent Hughes, Charlotte Gail Keith, CJ Austin Williams and Richard Marlin Kirschner III; and one great grandchild, Wyatt Lane Hughes.
(Survivors:) wife, Beverly (Justus) Williams; two half brothers, Merle Williams and wife, Valerie, Nixa, MO and Donald Williams and wife, Linda, Padre Island, TX; two sons, Gerald (Sonny) Williams and wife, Gloria (Whoodie), St. Joseph and Carl Williams and wife, June, Agency, MO; four daughters, Alma and husband, Aaron Keith, St. Joseph, Geraldine (Gerrie) and husband Jerry (Pete) Peterson, Gillette, WY, Wilma and husband, George Roberts, Savannah, MO and Debra (Debbie) and husband Rick Bosworth, Republic, MO; 22 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; and eight great great grandchildren.
Services 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
The Family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Wednesday.
The Family suggests memorial gifts to the Disabled Veterans Association.
Online guests book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
