Ronald Williams

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Ronald Eugene Williams, 81, a faithful Sunday School Teacher at Fifth and Fairview Free Holiness church of Pittsburg, KS, beloved husband and fulltime caregiver, entered “The Great Beyond” Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 after a short and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral Service is Saturday, July 29th, 2:00 p.m. and a visitation Friday, July 28th, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. will be held at the Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E. 4th Street, Pittsburg, Kansas. Live-streaming will be available at https://livestream.com/accounts/5577867/events/10914261

Final resting place will be Rosebank Cemetery, Mulberry, Kansas.

Ronald was born December 22nd, 1941 to Nathan Eugene Williams and Gwendolyn Huffstetler Williams in Van Buren, Arkansas. He was the oldest of eight siblings; Sharon Cottrell, Bennett Williams, Janice Lee, Norman Williams, Valencia Spalding, Dorcas Spalding, and Laneta Campbell, all whom he loved very much.

He graduated Hobbs Senior High School in 1959 where he was often used as a substitute teacher while still a student and won an award for tooling a leather saddle and entering it in the Student Craftsman fair At Eastern New Mexico University. His years growing up were spent working for his Father at the Williams Lumber Yard in Hobbs.

Ronald married the love of his life, Sharon Flower Utter, on December 22nd, 1959 and spent their first year of married life in Hobbs before moving to Pittsburg, Kansas. After working for Broadway Lumber and General Machinery, he spent the next 14 years at Joplin Supply Company and became the top salesperson in the company’s history as well as becoming the manager of the Pittsburg office. In 1977 he left Joplin Supply Company to start Hy-Flo Equipment Company after his brother, Bennett Williams, introduced him to the pressure washer business. He owned and managed Hy-Flo Equipment Company for 32 years before becoming a full-time caregiver to his wife and did so faithfully up until shorty before his passing. Hy-Flo Equipment Company is now owned and operated by his son, Mylan, and grandsons Landan & Chandler and is in its 46th year of business. Hy-Flo has proudly used Alkota Manufacturing Company, of Alcester South Dakota, for their supplier of pressure washing equipment for over four decades.

Ronald was known for his unique sense of humor and quick wit. He was a hard worker and provider for his family. His strong sense of values, integrity, honesty, and faith was recognized by all who knew him.

Ronald inherited a love for music from his parents and became an avid guitar and piano player. His favorite instrument was the guitar and he loved playing finger picking Chet Atkins style. He played mostly gospel music and shared his musical talent in his home church as well as churches across the country. He helped many people who were financially in need and was also a generous supporter of the Gospel, Ministers, and Missionaries.

Ronald formed “The Pilgrim’s Quartet” and, in 1969, recorded their only album. Per quoted by Jimmy John Millikin, “He also wrote several beautiful songs and could have sung baritone for any quartet in his prime.” Ronald had a gift for teaching four-part harmony and he took that gift and arranged all the songs on the album. At one point, The Pilgrim’s Quartet was privileged to open for the Blackwood Brothers at a concert in Kansas City.

In the early 1980’s and mid 1990’s, Ronald enjoyed Honda Goldwing Motorcycles and took many road trips with Sharon. Ronald also enjoyed playing sports with his children and at the Williams Family Reunion where he was the designated pitcher for both teams for most of the reunion’s history.

Ronald is survived by: Sharon Flower Williams, wife of 63 years, daughter Melody Williams Troutman of Springdale AR., daughter-in-law Karla Williams of Chicopee, KS, wife of Ronald’s late Son Montee Williams, Son Mylan Williams and wife Paula Williams of Pittsburg, KS, daughter Melissa Williams; Grandchildren, Dallas Padgett, wife Tracey, Anna Negrete, husband Carlos, Matthew Williams and wife Ryanna, Landan Williams, Chandler Williams, wife Chelsea; Great grandchildren, Holland, Avian, and Mylan Ace Williams. Siblings Bennett Williams and wife Carol, Janice Lee and husband Ronnie, Dorcas Spalding, and Laneta Campbell and husband Donny.

Ronald was preceded in death by his Parents, son Montee Williams, sister Sharon Cottrell, brother Norman Williams, and sister Valencia Spalding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ronald and Sharon Williams Trust on behalf of the Missionary Fund.