Gene Alden Williams

Gene Alden Williams, 79, passed from this life on Dec. 25, 2016, at his home in Stockton surrounded by his loving family. Gene suffered through many debilitating illnesses for many years which he handled with grace and optimism.

Gene was born to Samp Eugene Williams and Hannah Mae (Sell) Williams on Feb. 16, 1937, in the Blackfoot area of Cedar County.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Williams; his mother, Hannah Mae Williams; and his sister, Kay (Williams) King.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Elliston) Williams; his children – Beth Swopes – Nevada,  Teresa Clark and her husband, Bruce – Kansas City, Robin White and her husband, Clint – Grant, NE and Tim Collins and his wife, Jay – Kansas City; grandchildren – Cody Swopes and his wife, Rachael – Stockton, Caitlin DeVillers and her husband – Phil, Hannah Swopes, Ryan Clark, Connor Clark, Brionne Griffin and her husband – Casey, Colton White and Christian White; great-grandchildren – Willa Swopes-Griffin, Finnegan and Evajean Swopes and Baby Griffin to be born in May 2017; his siblings – Wayne Williams, Carolyn Roberts, Dannie and Judy Williams, Mike Williams and Steve Williams, as well as, Jim and Dorothy Young, Marty Graham, Tom and Ruth Elliston, Tony Elliston and Laura Fisher.

Gene Williams was married to Jean (Cassell) Williams. Gene later married Margaret (Elliston) Williams to whom he was married to for 41 years.

Gene loved many things in his life. First and foremost his family. He loved spending time with them. Many times just sitting in his chair and listening to them all laughing and talking and he would smile just at having them there with him and Margaret. Gene also loved fishing. He was a master angler, who fished from the rivers and creeks of Cedar County to many weeks spent in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. He also managed to catch a few in many other states.

He was a master woodcrafter. He loved working with his hands. He could build any piece of furniture by looking at a picture, then drawing a plan in his head. His family is blessed with many pieces of his wood artistry, including houses, furniture, boxes and turned pieces. Every piece was completed with love, artistry and perfection.

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, in Bland-Brumback Funeral Home, Stockton. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, in the funeral home.