Shirley Delonis Williams, 90, of Hillsboro died Sept. 6, 2025, at his home. Mr. Williams, also known as “Red” and “Shirl,” worked picking cotton as a child as well as at a garage/body shop where he drove a car at age 12 to pick up parts. He also worked at Krey Meat Packing Corp. and later as a business representative when the Butcher and Sausage Workers Local 545 merged with Local 655 in 1983. Before that, he was a 30-year member and secretary-treasurer of Local 545. With a sixth-grade education, he later obtained his GED. He enjoyed playing pool, carving wood to sell at fairs and heritage days, playing guitar with other musicians at Hardee’s in Pevely and Hillsboro, traveling and often taking “shortcuts” and spending time with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his honesty and kindness. Born April 30, 1935, in Arkansas, he was the son of the late Jennie Louis (DeBoise) and James Oscar Williams.
He is survived by his wife: Ruth Ann (Reeves) Williams, Whom he married on Oct. 20, 1956; two sons: Jerry Charles (Lea) Williams and James Delonis (the late Linda) Williams; four sisters: Lavada, Dorothy, Linda and Sue; two brothers: Charles and Dale; six grandchildren: Jerry (Adrienne), Shane, Holly (Kevin), Josh (Shylah), Jake (Candace) and James (Laura); 12 grandchildren: Marley, Jerry III, Jack, Tristan, Tanner, Tucker, Tinley, Dorothy, Sawyer, Grady, Oscar and Alexander James; and three sisters-in-law: Judy Reeves, Ev Ortwein and Jackie Thomas.
He was preceded in death by a son: John Carl Williams; five siblings: Estelle, Margie, Danny Ray, Elighah Lee and John; a brother-in-law: Jerry Reeves; and a daughter-in-law: Linda Williams.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until services at noon Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Chapel Hill Mortuary Robert Brown Chapel, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Sullivan. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary Robert Brown Chapel.