Wesley H. Williams
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Wesley H. Williams (Wes) passed away Saturday, August 31st, 2024, at his home at Brandon Woods Community Center in Lawrence KS at age 94.
He was born December 31st, 1929, in Blackstone Virginia. The son of King S. Williams and Anne M. Williams (Hall). He graduated from Highland Springs High School in Virginia.
He moved to Kansas in 1949 and received a BS and Master’s degree from Pittsburg State University. After college he served in the army for 2 years.
Wes and his wife and family moved to Overland Park KS in 1958. He was an elementary school teacher until he moved to Lawrence KS as an elementary school administrator for District 497. Wes later worked in educational therapy at the Veterans Hospital in Topeka KS. After retiring from education, he worked with the Dahl Construction Company.
Mr. Williams was a lifelong member of Plymouth Congregational Church, an Army veteran of the Korean War, Pittsburg Masonic Lodge No. 187 AF&AM, the Abdallah Shrine and the Scottish Rite. He held lifetime memberships in the National Education Association and the Phi Delta Kappa national education fraternity. He supported and volunteered for several local and national service organizations.
He married his beloved, Dorothy D. Tustin after college on May 31st, 1953, in Pittsburg KS and Dorothy lives at Brandon Woods.
Other survivors include a son Michael D. Williams of Colorado Springs CO, his wife Judi F. Williams, grandchildren, Allison, Olivia, and Harrison Williams. A daughter Gaile L. Stephens, at Brandon Woods, grand-daughter Shannon Stephens, and great-grand-daughter Freya Stephens.
A small memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd from 2-4 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence KS.
The family requests memorials to Shriners Hospital for Children through Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dorothy, Micheal, Gaile, and family. Wes was a good man and he loved you all so much. I can’t believe he’s gone so quickly, but to a better place. I will miss him. Sending you all my love.
Dear Dorothy, Micheal, and Gaile, I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Wes. He was a pleasant man who was always of good humor. I very much enjoyed taking care of you three over the many years. It gave me great pleasure to know that I was his doctor. Wes was lucky! He had a loving caring family who made his time much better than it could have been. Sadly, Jeanne and I are out of town and will be unable to tell you in person what I have thought for so many years. He was a good person. That fact was reflected in his family! Much love to you all! Jerry Pees
Dorothy and Gaile, please accept my sympathy on the passing of Wes this past week. He lived a life of service to our schools and in other areas of his life. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Our fondest memory of Wes is when he’d stop by the office and bring fresh fruit. We always enjoyed these visits and his stories! Our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Williams.
Mr Williams was the principal at Woodlawn school in north Lawrence in the 70s. I remember him very well. I unfortunately was a regular visitor to his office. He was stern, but fair. I remember one time during lunch. He was standing in the gym/lunch room, it was really loud. I yelled from the top of my lungs that Mr Williams is blind! The whole room went silent and everyone looked around for the culprit. Nobody including him seemed to have any clue where it came from. I was in the clear all through lunch and then recess. Well to my surprise, Mr Williams pulls me out of my 4th grade class in to the hallway. He stared down at me, and said Ladd, I may be blind, but I’m not deaf. He made me stay after school and write, I will not yell in the lunchroom 50 times. I will never forget that. He truly cared for the kids education. Rest in paradise Mr Williams. Woodlawn was my university. BWG 1976.
I am so sorry to about his passing. I provided care to Roy and Bonnie Taylor and remember him fondly. His love for Dorthy and his children was very evident.
He was always kind to me. The world lost a good one.
Angela Signor