Virgil Perry Williams

Beloved Grampy, Virgil Perry Williams, peacefully passed away on September 13, 2018 at home in Lawrence, Kansas. He was twenty-two days from his 103rd birthday.

Perry was born on October 5, 1915 in Milton, New York to George and Edith (Mead) Williams. The eighth of nine brothers and sisters, Perry grew up on a dairy farm outside of Charlton, New York. At fifteen, he moved in with his older brother Kenneth Williams and worked at his gas station.

Perry married the love of his life, Virginia Winifred Fox, on March 10, 1940 in Rexford, New York. They were happily married for 61 years.

Perry proudly served in the U.S. Navy for three years during WWII. He served in the Seabees Construction Battalion and was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Upon returning home at the end of the war, Virgil and Virginia built a home together outside of Clifton Park, New York. Perry worked for nearly 40 years as a machinist at General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. He also served for nearly 40 years as a volunteer firefighter in his local community. Their son, Keith Perry Williams, was born on January 31, 1947. The Williams’ family were long time members of Faith Baptist Church in Rexford, New York.

Perry and Virginia retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They lived in South Yarmouth for nearly ten years and were members of the Evangelical Baptist Church. They later moved to St. John, Kansas and then on to Beloit, Kansas to be closer to their son and his family. In St. John they were members of First Baptist Church and in Beloit they were members of First Christian Church. In his final years, Perry moved to Lawrence, Kansas to live with his granddaughter and her family. While he was able, he attended First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas.

Perry will be greatly missed by all who had the great privilege of knowing him. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a piece of candy to share.

Perry was preceded in death by: his parents George Williams and Edith Mead Williams Dorman, his two brothers and six sisters, his wife of 61 years, Virginia Williams, his nephews Doug Wands (Scotia, NY), Kent Wands (Scotia, NY), and Richard Wands (Old Town, ME).

Perry is survived by: his son and daughter-in-law: Keith and Beverly Williams (Beloit, KS), his grandchildren: Steven Williams (Wichita, KS), Nick & Becky Rogers (Lawrence, KS), Mark & Debbie Beals (Jewell, KS), David and Robyn Williams (Madison, AL), his great-grandchildren: Ethan and Luke Rogers, Elijah Beals, and Isabella Williams, his nieces and nephews: Kathy Wands (Auburn, IN), Karyn Wands (Old Town, ME), Terry and Priscilla Bodenstab (Scotia, NY), Mike and Joy Povec (Pooler, GA).

A memorial fund has been established in his honor benefiting the Visiting Nurses Hospice of Lawrence, Kansas who lovingly provided home health care for him for over a year. Memorial funds can be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, Kansas.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.