Grady Lanson Williams

Grady Lanson Williams was born in Eufala, Oklahoma on September 2nd 1937. He passed on to glory on January 14th, 2023 in Merced, California. He was the eldest of three sons born to Fred and Irene (Buck) Williams.

He spent his childhood in Oklahoma and his adolescence in California. He was a 1955 graduate of Turlock High School. In 1956 he married his high school sweetheart, Ivanna Lu Bates. Soon after his marriage he went to work for Pacific Telephone Company. He stayed with them and their successors until his retirement in 1990 serving in Modesto, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and finally Merced. He was a 49-year resident of Atwater.

He was active in his church and a member of Gideons International. He was a member of the Golden Valley Chorus. An amateur radio operator (K6IXA) since high school, he was active in the Turlock Amateur Radio Club for over 60 years. Combining his faith and radio skills he helped establish radio networks in Ghana on two mission trips to Africa as well as Southeast Asia. He served as a communications officer on two Spirit of Grace missions taking relief supplies to hurricane survivors in Eastern Honduras and to refugee immigrants in Israel. He was an active and enthusiastic pilot flying first his beloved Cessna 170 and later a powered parachute.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his brother Edward of Elk Grove, two sons, Keith Williams (Virginia) of Keller Texas and Kevin Williams (Kelly) of Atwater, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was a sometimes gruff but always caring friend to all and a dedicated worker in the Lord’s vineyard. He will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested you donate bibles in his memory through the Gideons International, so that although no longer here, his witness of his Lord and Savior may continue through the spreading of God’s word.

Remit contributions in memory of him to The Gideons International Merced Camp P.O. Box 2683 Merced CA 95344.

Services will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park & Funeral Home 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA on Saturday, March 11, 2023 beginning with Visitation at 9:30am. A Funeral Service will take place that same day beginning at 11:00am and Committal will follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Williams family.