WILLIAMS, Charles "Wayne" - b. April 23, 1930 - d. January 23, 2021

[patyrn]

Exactly at the age of 90 years and 9 months, Wayne Williams passed away.  He was born in the small town of Waukesha, Wisconsin and was raised by his parents, Oscar and Mayme Williams, in another small town of Wales, Wisconsin until he was ten years old.  Then they moved to a rural farm in Wisconsin which was Wayne's home until he joined the United States Air Force at Wichita Falls, Texas in 1950.

Wayne was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base for four years, and during that time, he met the love of his life, Corene Lovett, a Texas beauty living in Nocona, Texas.  A romance developed, and they were married on December 26, 1951 in Nocona.  Three daughters and one son, Vickie, Helen, Mark, and Carolyn, were born into their family.  Wayne and Corene were married for 65 years until she passed away in February of 2017.

Wayne attended the Church of Christ with Corene's family and was baptized in 1956 at the 10th and Broad Church in Wichita Falls, Texas.  The syear before that, Wayne started in the shoe business.  He worked in various places as salesman, assistant manager, and manager with Baker Shoes and finally landed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1962.  Ten years later, he launched out by purchasing his own store, and for the next 22 years, he and Corene worked together at the Shoe Horn.

When Wayne became a Christian, he decided "If I'm going to be a Christian, I'm going to be a good one".  In addition to his work and family, he became a leader in the church in Cedar Rapids.  He served there as  teacher of Bible classes, a deacon, and eventually an elder, a role he fulfilled from 1974 to 1994.  Wayne was as good  a servant, as good a leader, and as good a friend as the good old church knew.  His favorite verse was always, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3).

For the last 26 years, Wayne has lived in Kansas.  He owned a farm and Wayne's Wash and Storage in Eureka, Kansas until declining health for both him and Corene brought them to Olathe, Kansas.  Wayne gave his heart to Corene one day in 1951.  His love for her never faltered.  He gave his life to Christ one day in 1956.  He has stayed the course in his Christian walk.  In his own words he has been an elder, a churchman, a teacher, and businessman.  For all of us, he has been a worthy example, an absolute rock, a yokefellow of honor, a never-ending fountain of good humor, and an everlasting witness for Christ in our lives.

Wayne is survived by his four children, Vickie (Dan) Knight, Helen (Marty) Taliaferro, Mark (Diane) Williams, and Carolyn (Ron) McCord.  Each of his children had two sons and one daughter, in that order, giving him twelve grandchildren and then twenty-nine great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Corene; his two brothers, Bill Williams and Dennis Williams; and a daughter who died in infancy, Virginia Mame.

Graveside service was held on January 29, 2021 at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  To leave a message of condolence for the family online, visit www.Penwellgabelkc.com.

(published in the Eureka Herald - 01/26/2021)