WILLIAMS, Frank Eugene "Gene" - b. December 5, 1937 - d. May 29, 1999

[Janet Harrington]

(Taken from my personal collection)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FRANK EUGENE "GENE" WILLIAMS

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    Frank Eugene "Gene" Williams passed away Saturday, May 29, 1999 at the William Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, Kansas.  He was 61 years of age and a resident of Moline.  Gene, as he was known, was born December 5, 1937 at Center, Colorado to Curtis and Leon Katherine (Fulton) Williams.
    He moved with his family to Kansas at an early age and was raised around the Elk City and Havana area.  Gene lived most of his childhood helping his parents manage the Clark Buffalo Ranch.  As a teenager, he enjoyed participating in rodeos and working on ranches.  After graduating from Havana High School in 1957, Gene joined the Army National Guard in 1959 and served in the Guard for 28 years, retiring in 1998.
    On June 22, 1961, he married Pearl Esther Hey at Howard, Kansas and to this union were born four sons.  Gene was employed by Phillips Petroleum Company in Wichtia for several years, before moving to Moline, Kansas.  He worked for Sedan Limestone at Sedan, Kansas and later becamse a self-employed carpenter.  Thirteen eyars ago, Gene began serving as the Moline City Marshall and he worked occasionally as a carpenter.
    Gene enjoyed being with people.  His hobbies were square dancing, fishing and camping.  He and Pearl enjoyed going to Branson, Missouri several times each year, where they fished for trout and camped with the Kopy Kat Kampers.
    He was saved at an early age in the Elk City Baptist Church.  Gene was a member of the Kansas Peace Officer's Association.
    He is survived by his wife, Pearol; his sons, Rodney Williams of Grenola, Eric Williams of Moline, Jeff Williams of Missoula, Montana and Steve Williams of Wellsville, kansas' his mother, Leon Williams of Independence; his sisters, LaDonna Pickett of Longton, Wanda Pate of Wichita, Viva Schwatkin of Elk City, Elaine Workman of Round Rock, Texas, and Etta Shanks, Carol Bath and Kathy Brown, all of Independence, KS; his brothers, Richard Williams of Sedan, KS, Ben Williams of Franklin, Tennessee, Terry Williams of Independence and  Tim Williams of Agusuta, KS; three grandchildren, Chelsea, Patrick and Curtis; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Williams.
    Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 1999 at the Moline Elementary School with Pastor Robin Haines of the Flint Hills Assembly of God in Howard officiating.  Wanda Mills was the organist with Leroy Jordan singing :How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross."  The casket bearers were Glen Blackburn, Doug Hanks, Ken Miller, Ken Mitchell, Don Rice and Lynn Wells.  The honorary casket bearers were Ben Clubine, Jim Gaddie, Richiard Lampson, John Mann and Ray Sumner.  Interment was held in the Moline Cemetery with Jim Banks of Winfield playing "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.  A memorial has been established with the Moline City Park Improvement Fund.  Contributions may be left with the funeral home.  The funeral arrangements were made with the Zimmerman Funeral Home of Howard.