Oliver L. Mcwilliams

Oliver Lee "Twister" McWilliams, 68, of Parsons, passed away at 3:16 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the University of Kansas Medical Center with his oldest grandson by his side. He had been in failing health for several years.

He was born on August 26, 1952, to Leslie and Bessie Mae (Matthew) McWilliams, in Uriah, Alabama. He attended schools in Picayune, Mississippi; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Parsons, Kansas. He obtained a GED and took courses at Labette Community College.

Oliver worked for the City of Parsons, LaForge and Budd, Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Ray Products and 20 plus years at Ruskin's Manufacturing.

An avid softball player, he played the position of pitcher, which people hated, because he pitched so high. He also loved playing Dominoes with family and friends, watching old westerns, fishing and going to the Casino.

On April 22, 1983, he and Mary E. Redmond were united in marriage. She preceded him in death on July 15, 2017.

Oliver leaves behind to cherish his memory:

Two daughters – Sharnette Redmond-McWilliams of Raytown, Missouri

Asia Morton of Irving, Texas

One son – Parnell Hickerson of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Seven grandchildren - Justyn, Justyce, Stacey, Marissa, Lee, Parnell Jr., and Hasyah

One great-granddaughter – Yu'Riyiah

One sister – Deloris Opare of Parsons, Kansas, who has been one of his loving, selfless caregivers for the last few years

Six brothers – Louis McWilliams and his wife, Betty, of Parsons, Kansas

Donald Ray McWilliams of Parsons, Kansas

Sonny McWilliams of South Carolina

Arthur Lee McWilliams of South Carolina

John McWilliams of South Carolina

Jerome McWilliams of South Carolina

Three aunts – Barbara Lett of Frisco City, Alabama

Willie Matthew of Frisco City, Alabama

Gladys Deeds and her husband, Earl of Picayune, Mississippi

One uncle – Ollie Cunningham and his wife, Lee, of Albuquerque, New Mexico

A host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends

Oliver touched many lives over the years and many touched his, including his special nieces, Willie and Sonnie Markham; special nephews Jalil Shaw; Reggie (Anthony) McWilliams; Clarence (Buggie) Redmond; Brandon Hickles and his wife, Jamie; Jasmine Pierce and Michael McWilliams, who were also his longtime dominoes partners along with Steve Hickles, Enoch "Smokey" Giles and Kenny "KK" Watson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; one son, Oliver McWilliams, Jr.; one grandson, William Ramone McCarter, Jr.; twin sisters, Annie and Josephine McWilliams; one sister, Alberta McWilliams; one brother, Leslie McWilliams, Jr.; his parents, his paternal grandparents, John and Alberta McWilliams; and maternal grandparents, Robert and Annie Matthew.

The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Facebook page.

Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.