Harold Williams

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Harold Lee Williams of Kimberling City, Missouri, went to be with Jesus surrounded by family on Christmas Evening, December 25, 2022.

Born a twin on November 5, 1930 in Webb City, Missouri to Fred and Murriel Williams, he lived in the Carterville, Webb City and Joplin area most of his life. He also lived in Grove, Oklahoma for 7 years in retirement, and moved to Kimberling City to be near his children 2 years ago.

Lee graduated from Carterville High School in Carterville, Missouri in 1948. He attended classes at Ozark Christian College in Joplin and took industrial courses at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Lee taught welding classes at Franklin Technical School for the Joplin R8 school district for 27 years. He also was a preacher, and served as a minister at Smithfield Christian Church, Avilla Christian Church, Westside Christian Church in Joplin, Fir Road Christian Church, and Afton Christian Church in Afton, Oklahoma. He was a man of God and devoted to prayer.

He served in the Army National Guard from 1951-1965 and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant.

He was interested in community, and served as a councilman in Webb City for several years.

Lee Williams was a hard-working man. He worked hard for the Lord, and he worked hard to support his family. He ALWAYS put family first. He enjoyed gardening and fishing, he remodeled many houses, worked construction on many churches, and was always helping his kids and grandkids on construction projects. He took great pride in building a new house for his bride after retiring.

Lee and Mary Dean celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on December 21. They have three children: Rhonda (Bill) Wyrsch of Branson West, Missouri, Laurel (Rod) Miller of Reeds Spring, Missouri and Kent (Pam) Williams of Kimberling City, Missouri. Lee was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Blake (Tricia) Deardorff, Grant (Jennifer) Deardorff, Drew Deardorff, Justin (Kari) Wyrsch, Michael Wyrsch, Jason (Shawna) Miller, Caleb (Heidi) Miller, MaLee (Rick) Clark, Luke (Kari) Miller, Keegan Miller, John Mark Miller, Gabriel Williams, Joel Williams, Ressie (Chase) Cooper, Beau Catron. He was also blessed with 20 great grandchildren that he always called GREAT!

Lee is survived by his sweet and devoted wife, Mary Dean. She cared for him always, but was his primary care giver over the past 11 years or so as he declined slowly from Alzheimer’s. Her love and care for Papa Lee is a beautiful example for all of her family, and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Murriel Klein Williams, and his siblings: LeRoy Williams, Zella Williams Johnson, Juanita Williams, Gerald Williams, Gene Williams, twin sister Bessie Lorraine Williams Halteman, and Jimmie Williams. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Keith Allen Williams.

Our Papa Lee will be forever loved and missed by his family a nd by so many friends and those he brought to the Lord.

Graveside services are 3:00 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Webb City Cemetery with Kent Williams officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. 

Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Blake Deardorff, Grant Deardorff, Drew Deardorff, Jason Miller, Luke Miller, Gabriel Williams, Joel Williams and Alex Medeiros. Memorial contributions may be sent to: The Unleashed Program, First Christian Church of Kimberling City, 5 Hilltop Drive, Kimberling City, MO 65686. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.