Dessa Williams

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Winnie “Dessa” (Wilson) Williams was born December 6, 1940, in Wichita, KS, the youngest daughter of John and Bonnie “Birdie” (Wells) Wilson. Dessa spent her childhood moving around Kansas and Colorado with her 3 sisters and brother. 

While attending high school in Manitou Springs, CO, she decided on using her gift of a beautiful voice in the school talent show, she just needed someone to accompany her with a guitar. A fellow classmate agreed to play the guitar for her, and neither she nor Pete Williams could anticipate the lifetime of love that would come from such a simple gesture.

After high school, Pete enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Then after a deployment, he came home and married his high school sweetheart Dessa, May 31st, 1963 in Aurora, CO.

After getting married Pete and Dessa were no strangers to moving. While finishing out his career with the Marines, Pete, Dessa, and their three children Kevin, Shawn, and Alisa moved to California. Where Dessa, with the help of family took care of things at home during his deployments. They would move several more times in their life together, back to Colorado, then Kansas, and Nebraska, settling in some of those states a couple of times. Dessa often joked that she hadn’t found particular items for several moves.

They may have lost items in those moves, but they and their children gained lifetime friends at each stop; friends that were always welcomed at their home. Dessa had a heart for knowing when one of their friends were in need, and was the first to try and help when there was any chance she could.

It was during moves to Kansas and Nebraska that their children would meet their spouses, Teresa, Carla, and Kim. Just like friends of the past, Dessa was quick to let them know they were loved. Dessa was the first one to offer to baby sit , to sit with you if you had a had a surgery, to invite you to dinner and spoil you with her good old home cooking. She had a heart to help others and to love on them.

In April of 1985, Pete and Dessa would become grandparents - twice in just 21 short hours, with 4 more grandchildren joining their brood over the next few years. This was by far the best job either of them could have signed up for, and boy were they the best grandparents any 6 kids could hope for. They took any chance they could to spend even just a few minutes with their grandchildren, but the best memories were when they could have them for extended periods of time. Being “Grandma” was Dessa’s time to shine, she had to be exhausted when the time came to send them all home.

As Grandma Dessa, she kept a house full of their favorite snacks, like Philadelphia cheesecake bites or their favorite drinks like strawberry or chocolate milk. She planned activities for every visit from train rides and water parks, to what seemed like entire living rooms filled wall to wall with gifts on Christmas morning. Nothing was off limits on their trips with Grandma and Grandpa. “You want a Frito pie for breakfast and a banana split for lunch? That sounds like a great idea!”

Next to being “Grandma”, Dessa’s second love was hosting friends and family at their different homes. The home she and Pete shared in Dodge City, Kansas was just perfect for hosting, with a hot tub and a pool. Dessa was always ready to have a get together. She loved cooking for her family, BBQ ribs, steak and potatoes, chicken and noodles, homemade bread and brownies, were just a few of the dishes that bring back great memories for her family. When someone’s birthday would come around Dessa wanted them to feel special so she would always cook their favorite meal and cake. She made awesome German Chocolate, Carrot, and Waldorf Astoria cakes. It was also common for Dessa to whip up fried chicken and potato salad to spend the day with friends on the barge.

No matter the occasion or the place, Pete and Dessa always came back to what began their love story. Pete would get out his guitar, and Dessa would sing their favorite songs. A few of their favorites were “Delta Dawn”, “50 cents”, “Waterloo”, “The Rich Girl and the Poor Girl”, and their own love song, “Yours Love” by Waylon Jennings. Dessa and Pete loved when their kids and grandkids joined in; their love and talent for music has been passed down through generations now.

Dessa held many jobs throughout her lifetime, as Pete was in the retail business for many years, and like the Marines this job required moving. Dessa was an excellent receptionist, bookkeeper, and she was a waitress in her earlier years. Whatever the vocation, she did her very best. While living in Dodge City she and Pete opened a small store, Shelby’s $14.99. Together, they shared many trips and laughs with their children and their spouses while working in and on the store.

Dessa passed away May 11, 2024, at Joplin Gardens, in Joplin MO.

Dessa is preceded in death by her parents John & Birdie, 3 sisters Juanita, Hazel & Jenny, her brother Jack and their spouses, as well as her in-laws Dike & Neva Williams, and brothers-in-law Vin Leitner and Lee Williams. She is also preceded in death by her lifetime love Pete and infant daughter Theana Lea.

Dessa leaves behind two sons, Kevin Williams and wife Teresa of Turpin OK. Shawn Williams and wife, Carla of Joplin, MO, daughter Alisa Parde and husband Kim of McCook, NE. Her six grandchildren, Shelby, Tanner, Christopher, Courtney, Atheana, and Dustin, and their spouses. Twelve great grandchildren, Reiley, Easton, and Parker, Myriah, Collin, Jaxon, and Thea, Christian, Abby, and Emmitt, Amelia, and Jenna. As well as a sister-in-law Lavonne Leitner of Woodland Park, CO and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at Logan National Cemetery, in Denver, CO at a date to be determined later.