Thomas Edward Williams

Thomas Edward Williams, 85, of Odessa, Missouri went home to his Lord on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 in Kansas City, Mo. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. Second St., Odessa, Mo 64076, 816-633-5524. Military Rites will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2013 at the American Cemetery in Osage City, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to the Odessa V.F.W. Post 5675. Condolences for the family may be left at www.ralphojones.com. Tom was born on December 17, 1927 in Odessa, Mo to James D. and Lillie L. (Ward) Williams. On October 30, 1948 he married Eleanor Marie Tucker who preceded him in death on November 26, 1969. Tom worked as an inspector on most of the largest and longest pipe lines in the United States and Gulf of Mexico before retiring after 20 years. He was a both a lifetime member and past Commander of the V.F.W. Post 5675 in Odessa, Mo. He served in the United States Navy and was stationed in Okinawa during World War II. Tom was Honorably Discharged from the United States Navy in March of 1946. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Coldren and husband Marty of Kearney, Mo and a son Lance Williams and wife Sherry of Bates City, Mo; Tom has nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; three sisters, Clara Wakeman of Oak Grove, Mo, Wanda Langley of Carbondale, Ks and LaVera Stephens of Lyndon, Ks along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Tom was preceded in death by a son Ronald Douglas Williams and a daughter Terry Sue Morris; two brothers, Charles "Shorty" Williams and Floyd "Bud" Williams and a sister Edna M. Reynolds.