Berl Ray Williams

Berl Ray Williams Berl Ray Williams, age 85, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at The Baptist Home, Chillicothe, Missouri. Berl was born the son of Howard and Alice (Lawson) Williams on July 4, 1933, near Lone Rock, Missouri. He was a 1951 graduate of Meadville R-IV High School. After graduation, he attended the Chillicothe Business College, and then entered the United States Coast Guard. After serving 4 years, he returned to Chillicothe, and worked at Producers Creamery. Berl was united in marriage to Dorlah Mae Mumpower on February 23, 1958, in Chillicothe, Missouri. She survives of the home. After their marriage, he reenlisted in the Coast Guard. After reenlisting, he served in Alabama, Hawaii, where their son Grant was born, Virginia, California, where their daughters Denise and Diana were born, Connecticut, Port Huron, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Charlevoix, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri, before retiring as Lieutenant Commander on June 1, 1974. After he retired, they returned to the area and settled in Meadville, Missouri, to farm. While stationed in Oklahoma, Berl graduated from Oklahoma City University, with a teaching degree. He started teaching business classes at Meadville in 1976, and took the H&R Block tax class and began preparing tax returns. He purchased the H&R Block franchise in 1982, and sold it after many years, but continued to prepare tax returns for an additional 5 years until his retirement. Berl joined the Jackson Mason Lodge #82 AF&AM, and then became a member of the Chillicothe Friendship Lodge #89 AF&AM in 1991. He held offices in the Chillicothe Chapter 113 of the Eastern Star, and the American Legion Vern R. Glick Post #25. He was also a member of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri. He loved to travel and family gatherings. His interest included his love of music and theatre, playing cards, croquet, crossword puzzles, and jokes and riddles. Survivors include his wife, Dorlah Williams, of the home; two daughters, Denise Conway and husband Chris of St. Charles, Missouri, and Diana Stickler and husband Tom of Trenton, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Cheri Williams of Chillicothe, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Magen Crabtree and husband Joshua of Holts Summit, Missouri, Carmen Austin and husband Marshall of Trenton, Missouri, Whitney Hansel and husband Aaron of East Alton, Illinois, Jackson Williams of Chillicothe, Missouri, and Christopher Williams of St. Charles, Missouri, Bradley Williams of Maplewood, Missouri, and Ashlee Theissen and husband Josh of Washington, Missouri, and their mother, Carla Williams; six great grandchildren, Hailee, Alexander, Samuel, Hadley, Jon, and Eleanor; two brothers, Don Williams of Nevada, Iowa, and Tom Williams and wife Phyllis of Colo, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Grant Williams; one brother, Bob Williams; one sister-in-law, Helen Williams; and two nephews, Dean and Ben Williams. A Masonic Service will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., with funeral services to follow. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, November 2, 2018, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Operation Help and/or Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church and/or the North Missouri Baptist Home Chillicothe Campus and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.