Gary E. Williams, Sr.

Gary E. Williams, Sr., 73, of Dennis, passed away at 11:08 p.m., Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

He was born January 26, 1943 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania to Eugene George and Ruth Marie (Hein) Williams. He grew up and attended school in Williamsport where he was a 1961 graduate of Williamsport High School. Following high school, he attended Bible College in Canada for one year.

In 1962, Gary entered the United States Marine Corps where he served three tours of active duty in Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge in 1975, he was awarded two purple hearts.

He and Karen A. Byington were married June 6, 1970 in Harrison, Arkansas. After his discharge, they moved to Valley Mines, Missouri where they lived until moving to Kansas City. In November of 1996, they moved to Parsons where he worked at The Down Under at the Parsonian Hotel and also the Townsman Motel. In 2012, the family moved to Dennis where they have lived since.

He was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Parsons. He loved Hopalong Cassidy and collected many items including vinyl records and movies. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include:
Wife – Karen Williams of the home
Ten Children - Ruth A. Luat and her husband, Darwyn Topeka, KS
Victoria J. Kopetsky and her husband, Brent Junction City, KS
Amy M. Williams Caney, KS
Gary E. Williams, Jr. and his wife, Brandy Kansas City, MO
Louis P. Williams Arlington, IA
Sarah E. Martinez and her husband, Martin Kansas City, MO
Samuel B. Williams and his wife, Sheri Kansas City, MO
Matthew J. Williams and his wife, Sarah Parsons, KS
Adam N. Williams and his wife, Brittany Kansas City, MO
Abigail K. Williams Dennis, KS
Forty-Four Grandchildren
Sixteen Great-Grandchildren
Three Sisters – Beverly Yergan Lincoln, CA
Kay Bruno Placerville, CA
Cande Harris Midlothian, TX

He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant sister, Denise Williams; and his best friend, Gary Ross Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2016 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to help defray funeral expense. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.