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John "Lester" Williams

John "Lester" Williams

  • August 15, 2012
  • Clarinda, Iowa
  • Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Sergy Post 98 or to the Braddyville Christian Church.
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“We can't begin to know how you feel, but we do know how we have felt when Mother, and step-dad, and Dad, and my son made his transition to the next...Read More » ”
1 of 18 | Posted by: Kenn Geiger - Rock Island, IL, IL

“Shilia, so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad... it's never easy to lose a parent, at any age. Prayers and peace to you, your mom & siblings, and...Read More » ”
2 of 18 | Posted by: Doris Brunnette - West Des Moines, IA

“Hello, Shelia and Family, Sorry to hear of your loss. I think of you fondly, seeing you in the drug store, etc. And then as good neighbors on West...Read More » ”
3 of 18 | Posted by: Ellen Oehler Blackstone - Seattle, WA

“Sorry to hear of Lester's passing. The Williams family were great neighbors to my mom and dad as well as to me. I went to school with your kids and...Read More » ”
4 of 18 | Posted by: Kenny McClarnon - College Springs, IA

“Sorry to hear of Lester's passing. The Williams family were great neighbors to my mom and dad as well as to me. I went to school with your kids and...Read More » ”
5 of 18 | Posted by: Kenny McClarnon - College Springs, IA

“Shelly and family, iam sorry for your loss. you all are in my thoughts, i will be praying for peace and comfort that only God can give you at this...Read More » ”
6 of 18 | Posted by: Wynee Doyle - council bluffs, IA

“Prayers for your comfort and peace at this sad time. May God hold him in the palm of his hand now pain free and at peace. Sympathy and Love to all ...Read More » ”
7 of 18 | Posted by: Dena Wredt - Council Bluffs, IA

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with you. May happy memories help to ease your sorrow. ”
8 of 18 | Posted by: Gary & Julie Funkhouser - Treynor, IA

“Shelia,, My thoughts are with you and your family. May you find the strength during this time. Know I love you. ”
9 of 18 | Posted by: Nancy Burch Anderson - Tampa, FL

“Sheila, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. You are very special friends. While there is saddness with the loss of Lester,...Read More » ”
10 of 18 | Posted by: Bonnie Brewster - Moore, OK

“To Shiela and all the family. Words cannot say all the great memories we have had with Willie over all the years. Prayers and Peace be with all of...Read More » ”
11 of 18 | Posted by: Greg & Susie Blume - Edwardsville, IL

“It was our pleasure in knowing Lester when we attended farmers market together. Jim and I enjoyed visiting with him whenever we saw him. He was a...Read More » ”
12 of 18 | Posted by: James & Connie Jorgensen - IA

“Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. ”
13 of 18 | Posted by: Rev. Jann and Kim Osborn - IA

“John and family, No words can really express the felings of loss we feel. I do know that having the love of friends and family helps to ease the pain...Read More » ”
14 of 18 | Posted by: Samantha R. Henness - Schertz, TX

“sheila, I was so sorry to learn of Lester's death this morning. You have had a great 65+ years together and a good supportive family. Gwen ”
15 of 18 | Posted by: Gwen Grove Howard - Overland Park, KS

“Sheila and family, our families have gone back a lot of years. I know Lester will be missed very much by all of you. My sincere thoughts and...Read More » ”
16 of 18 | Posted by: Joan Archer - Clarinda

“I always had so much fun at the Williams household. Lester always had a smile and a laugh. Such a sweet man who will be missed surely. Thinking of...Read More » ”
17 of 18 | Posted by: carol fields - San Antonio, TX

“Wanting you to know my thoughts are with you. I have so many memories of the good times. Know Lester will be missed by many, he touched many lives,...Read More » ”
18 of 18 | Posted by: Jan Warren - Shambaugh,, IA



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Funeral services for Lester Williams, age 86, of Clarinda, Iowa, who entered into peace Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Eiler House, Clarinda, Iowa, will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 20, 2012, at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Chaplain Sue Newsome officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 2-4 p.m., Sunday, August 19, 2012. Burial will be in the Shearer Cemetery, Braddyville, Iowa with military rites. Memorials may be directed to American Legion Post 98 or to the Braddyville Christian Church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

John Lester Williams was born October 3, 1925, at Mapleton, Iowa to Izola (Laub) Williams and Mason Williams. He grew up in the Braddyville area attending Center Buchanan School and graduated from Braddyville High School. Lester served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II off shore Japan and during the Korean Conflict based in Guam repairing electrical ship systems. Lester and Shelia Mace were united in marriage November 20, 1946 at Hiawatha, Kansas. They were blessed with five children, Shira, Shilia, John, Shelly and Jaymes.

John Lester lived his life on a farm near Braddyville and after losing their home to fire, they moved to Shambaugh and in later years to Clarinda. Lester worked as an electrician for many years and then drove an over the road semi-truck for twenty five years. He received an award for driving over a million miles accident free.

Following retirement at the age of 75, one of his proudest feats was designing and building "on his own" their log home two miles east of Clarinda. His leisure hours were spent playing cribbage, chess, cards, doing cross word puzzles (in ink) and he loved dancing, especially the polka. He was an excellent gardener, making sure the whole family had fresh vegetables all summer. Lester enjoyed selling his vegetables at the Farmers Market for many years. He was lovingly known by family and friends by his nicknames of "Willie", "Shorty" or "Johnny".

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Izola and Mason Williams; his sixteen year old son, Jaymes; his brother, Joe Williams; sisters-in-law, Ailene Williams and Linda Mace.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of over sixty-five years, Shelia Williams of Clarinda; daughters, Shira Bridie and husband Larry of Clarinda, Shilia Pullen and husband Randy of Clarinda, Shelly Grimsley and husband Gene of Council Bluffs, Iowa; son, John Lester Williams, Jr. and his wife Sheryl of Clarinda; grandchildren, Randy Pullen II and wife Trulla of Clarinda, Tonya Maxwell and husband Jason of West Des Moines, Iowa, Ryan Pullen and wife Terrin of Lees Summit, Missouri, Ragan Pullen of Des Moines, Iowa, Jason Bridie and wife Sara of Clarinda, Joshua Bridie and his partner Robert of San Francisco, California, Jeremy Williams and Kasey of Clarinda, Jarrod Williams and wife Melissa of Bellevue, Nebraska, Justin Williams and wife Brandi of Clarinda, Shala Stroud and husband Andy of LaVista, Nebraska, Scott Grimsley and wife Tracey of Council Bluffs, Christen Stiverson and husband Larry of Council Bluffs, Karen Mac Crate and husband Mike of Londonderry, New Hampshire; twenty four great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren; sisters, Eleanor Cabbage and husband Thaine of Clarinda, Sharon Lightner and husband Lynn of Lincoln, Nebraska, Maureen Caddy and husband Max of Gretna ,Nebraska; brother-in-law, Harlan Mace of Clarinda, Iowa other relatives and many friends.

Lester will be missed by his family and many friends.
His memory will live on in their hearts.
May God grant comfort and peace to those who mourn his passing.