Avard “Joe” Williams, 81, of Festus, formerly of Herculaneum, died June 12, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in south St. Louis County. Mr. Williams was a U.S. Navy veteran, and he had worked at PPG Industries in Crystal City, Doe Run Lead Co. in Herculaneum and Union Pacific Railroad. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Herculaneum/Pevely, as well as the Herculaneum and Crystal City Masonic lodges.
Born Oct. 14, 1936, in Herculaneum, he was the son of the late Eloise Anna (Easter) and Leroy S. Williams Sr.
He is survived by his wife: Virginia “Jenny” (Becker) Williams; one son: Avard “Joey” (Donna) Williams Jr. of House Springs; three daughters: Paula Denise Williams of Festus, Debbra Kay (Sam) Lalumandier of McKinney, Texas, and Karen Lynn (John) Elvert of Festus; one sister: Bernice (the late Joe) Marcina of Detroit, Mich.; one brother: Harold (Debbie) Williams of Piedmont; 16 grandchildren: Nicholas Williams, Zachary (Jenny) Williams, Samantha Williams, Christina (Brad) Gravagna, Amie (Brad) Wooten, Melisa (Devon) Self, Sara (Cody) Fleming, Briley Thompson, Kristie (Keith Penson) Waddell, Joshua (Jodi) Kent, Steven Lalumandier II, Andrew (Halie) Lalumandier, Cory Lalumandier, Abigail (Tim Doty) Lalumandier, Hannah Elvert and Logan Evert; two sisters-in-law: Linda Williams and Marian Williams; and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son: Daniel Wayne Thompson; three sisters: Ruth (the late Thomas) Huddleston, Wilma Williams and Norma (the late Bill) Evans; and two brothers: Donald Williams and Leroy S. Williams.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. today, June 14, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 15, at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Jeff Purvis. Burial with full military honors will be in Herculaneum City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.