05/07/2007
Clyde Lee Williams was born on May 19, 1916 in Red Rock, Iowa. He was one of three
children born to Daisy Nichols and Grover “Bud” Williams. Clyde attended Red Rock
School and graduated in 1934 from Knoxville High School. While in high school Clyde
was on the football and track teams and in the glee club.
On Nov. 10, 1940, Clyde
was united in marriage to Claudine Scott at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.
To this union, two children were born. Clyde and Claudine celebrated 65 years together
before her death. Clyde worked at the VA Hospital in Knoxville until WWII started.
He entered the US Navy, serving on the USS Aristaeus in the South Pacific. Clyde
graduated from St. Louis Mortuary College in 1949.
After working in Newton and Knoxville,
Clyde and Claudine started Williams Funeral Home in May 1954. Clyde continued to
work at the funeral home until July 2005 when health forced his retirement. Clyde
served many families at their time of loss. He was dedicated to helping families
to the best of his ability.
Clyde was a charter member and lifetime member of the
American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifetime member of the Disabled
American Veterans and National Sprint Care Hall of Fame. Clyde was a charter member
of the Knoxville Morning Kiwanis Club in Knoxville. He was also an active member
of the Knoxville I.O.O.E. Lodge # 60, Oriental Lodge # 61, and the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.
For many years Clyde drove his Izeta in various parades.
Clyde served for many years
on the Marion County Veterans Affairs Commission. Clyde was a true gardener at heat.
He loved to raise more than he could use. The true joy was sharing with friends
and neighbors. The Williams’ cantaloupe and watermelons were enjoyed by hundreds
over the years. Clyde had his last crop in 2005 at the age of 89. The Williams Apple
Orchard was a favorite hobby-retirement project of Clyde’s. His 1000-tree orchard
and garden filled his free time.
Clyde and Claudine spent 26 winters in Sarasota,
Florida where he always had a garden. Clyde and Claudine enjoyed dancing to the
big band sounds and square dancing in their younger days. He also fished and hunted.
Clyde always had time for a hand of cards, especially pitches. Not only did Clyde
and Claudine share over 65 years of marriage but also shared most of their work
and activities together. Clyde was a devoted father and grandfather. He loved his
family dearly and was proud of their accomplishments.
Clyde Lee Williams passed
away on Monday, May 7, 2007, at the Knoxville VA Medical Center at the age of 90
years, 11 months, and 18 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Claudine
in 2005, his son, Bruce Williams, one brother, Clifford “Sonny” Williams, and one
sister, Jessie Bruce.
Those left to mourn his passing are one daughter, Ginger (Ferguson)
Harry and her husband, Cecil of Knoxville; two grandchildren, Kirstin Muran and
her husband, Luke of St. Louis, MO, and Zachary Ferguson of Chicago, IL; one great-granddaughter,
Ella Rose Muran of St. Louis, MO; companion and caregiver, Irene Victoria of Knoxville;
two step-granddaughters and their families, Shelly Carter and her husband, Jason
and son, Chase of Knoxville, and Jennifer Atagi and her husband, Ifo, and her children,
Haven and Hyland of Independence, MO.
Funeral services were held on May 11, 2007,
at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor Neil Montz officiating. Military Honors were provided by Baty-Tucker American Legion Post #168, John Myers VFW Post #3519, and
the United States Navy Casualty Assistance Corp.
Casket bearers were Russell Harvey,
Bill Hull, Don Hull, Kirke Leonard, Rick Van Donseler, and Tom Van Vliet. Honorary
casket bearers were Dr. Robert Ashton, Marion Dykstra, Dr. Ted Eller, Dallas McLaughlin,
and Joe Tonda. The interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be made in memory