Gene Williams 1948-2015
Clarence Eugene “Gene” Williams, 67, Holton, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka.
He was born June 4, 1948, in Holton, the son of Boyd Isaac and Florence Viola Hiner Williams. He graduated from Holton High School in 1966 and also attended Vo-Tech in Kansas City and Highland Community College.
Mr. Williams joined the U.S. Army Signal Corp, serving in Vietnam, Korea and Germany from 1969 to 1971. Prior to his military service, he had worked for Jackson County Farmer’s Co-Op, was a diesel mechanic for Al Hann and was a ranch-hand for Massey Ferguson Dealership- Wilbur Cox, all in Holton.
After his Army discharge, he worked for the City of Holton as production superintendent, city manager and utilities manager, retiring after almost 40 years as production superintendent, and was the longest-term employee for the city. He also worked for King of the Road as a charter bus driver in Topeka. After retirement, he was a school bus driver for USD 336 and a farmer.
He was an active member of the Evangel United Methodist Church, where he had served in many capacities and was currently serving on the Youth Leadership Team. He was also a member of Holton VFW Post 1367. He was a former Holton volunteer fire fighter and a former member of Holton Lions Club, Holton Rotary and Holton Country Club.
He married Kristen E. Rhule on April 7, 1972, in Holton. They divorced, and she died April 27, 2012. He married Sandra Lee “Sandy” Hanenkrat-Roush on July 12, 2008, in Holton. She survives.
Other survivors include a daughter, Shelby Patch and husband Troy, Holton; three stepchildren, Brian Roush, Circleville, Michael Roush and wife Kristi, Holton, and Alison Olson, Topeka; a sister, Mary McCrory and husband Jim, Mayetta; two grandchildren, Bryson and Macey Patch; and six stepgrandchildren, Kolby, Christopher and Dalton Roush, Kreighton Roush and Kevin and Brody Olson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Patch Children’s Education Fund or EUM Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
