Leon Williams

Leon Wayne Williams, age 92, of Grand Rapids, joyfully put his hand in the Man from Galilee on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. He was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on May 6, 1924 to the parents of Elmer and Mae (Martz) Williams. Leon was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean; and sister, Alice Kaledo. Leon is survived by his daughter, Janice Williams; two sons, Jeffery (Donna) Williams, and Kirk Williams; two grandchildren, Jeffrey A. and Sara Jean; brother, Ralph; sister, Patricia Splan; brother-in-law, John (Sharon) Kirkpatrick; and many nieces and nephews. Leon was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean; and sister, Alice Kaledo. Leon is survived by his daughter, Janice Williams; two sons, Jeffery (Donna) Williams, and Kirk Williams; two grandchildren, Jeffrey A. and Sara Jean; brother, Ralph; sister, Patricia Splan; brother-in-law, Kirkpatrick; and many nieces and nephews. Leon served in the U.S Army during WWII. He was a decorated combat Veteran awarded with the Bronze Service Star and two Purple Hearts. He was held as a P.O.W. in Germany from December 1944 until May 1945, having been captured at the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He joined the Grand Rapids Fire Dept., in December of 1948 and retired in 1986 as the Fire Chief. In 1986, Leon and Jean moved to their retirement home in Fife Lake. There they became active members of the Fife Lake United Methodist Church and he became a certified Lay Speaker. He also served many of his retired years with the Traverse City DeColores Ministry and the Keryx Prison Ministry. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leon Williams, please visit our flower store.