John Emmit Williams, 79, of Bonne Terre, formerly of Festus, died May 18, 2017, at St. Joe Manor in Bonne Terre. Mr. Williams retired from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 23 years of service. He served in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. Born Jan. 19, 1938, in Ste. Genevieve County, he was the son of the late Bertha (Thomure) and David E. Williams. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Edith LaVelle Cavanaugh.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years: Carol Hartman Williams; three sons: John David (Mary Beth) Williams of Kentucky, James Michael Williams of Texas and Jerry Wayne (Rosemary Solis) Williams of Texas; a daughter: Theresa LaVelle Gregg of Texas; two stepchildren: Robyn (Mike) Brew of Jefferson County and Robert (Tammy) Wall Jr. of Florida; a stepson-in-law: Jerry Cole of Fredericktown; a brother: Gary (Barbara) Williams of Hillsboro; two aunts: “Nonnie” Hasty and “Bill” Williams; 24 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter: Debbie Cole; a sister: Wanda “Lee” Spink-Heflin; and two grandchildren: Chad Williams and Ashley Nicole Williams.
Mr. Williams chose to be cremated and have his ashes scattered at the gravesite of his grandparents in Reynolds County.