Joseph Eugene "Gene" Williams

Joseph was born March 22, 1925 in Blanket, Texas and was raised by his parents Hugh and Emma Williams. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the United States Navy, serving as Sonarman Third Class on the USS Woodworth in the South Pacific during World War II. Joseph was honorably discharged from the Navy in December 1945, before returning to Blanket. Upon return to his hometown, he married his high school sweetheart, Ann Fisher. After marriage, they relocated to Brownwood where Joseph began working as a carpenter, and where he built their first home.

Both children, Larry and Cynthia, were born during their stay in Brownwood. Soon after, they moved to San Angelo where he continued working as a carpenter, building houses. In 1954, the Williams family moved to Tyler. Joseph found employment as a salesman for Wholesome Bread Co, working there for ten years. He then changed jobs to become a route salesman for the Frito Lay Company, from 1964 until his retirement in 1987. During their time in Tyler, they were active members at First Baptist Church of Tyler, and sang in the senior choir. While attending there, Joseph and Ann also participated in their son’s special needs Sunday school class.

Along with being active members of their church, they were also active in their Senior Citizen Center activities, which included square dancing and playing dominoes with friends. During his retirement he took a job as School Crossing Guard from 1993 to 2011 at Orr Elementary. Because of growing health issues, the Williams family moved to Garland on March 16, 2011 to be closer to their daughter Cynthia. Soon after arriving, Joseph and Ann’s health became the incentive to move permanently into San Remo Nursing Facility.

Joseph is preceded in death by parents Hugh Lawrence Williams and Emma Frances Turner Williams and his brother, Wilmot Williams and sister, Lucille Williams Adcott.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Larry Gene; daughter, Cynthia Ann; son-in law, Douglas Wilson; grandson, Christopher James Wilson and nieces, Carla Elizondo, Dreta Keller, Pam Williams and Brenda Weaver.

Services will be held at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 10:00am. Burial will be in Tyler Memorial Park.

Visitation is Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00-8:00pm. at the funeral home.

In lieu flowers, the family request donations be made to First Baptist Church of Tyler’s Rainbow Special Needs Sunday School Class, 301 W. Ferguson, Tyler, 75702.