Joseph Reed Williams was born in Wichita, Kansas on June 9, 1927, the second son of Armon and Ruth Davis Williams. He passed away on November 28, 2015, in Helena, Montana.
Raised in Dodge City, Kansas with his brothers John and Bill, he enjoyed sports, had a paper route, delivered ice, harvested sugar beets and was a Boy Scout, attaining the highest rank of Eagle. He was a true patriot and dearly loved his country, enlisting in the US Navy in 1945 at age 17, before participating in his high school graduation ceremony. He served from 1945-1987, first on active duty as a Machinist’s Mate, and then later as a reservist, attaining the rank of CWO4. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations in the Philippines.
He graduated from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) and pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1950 he married the beautiful and vivacious Jerry Ann Cottrell. The family grew to include two daughters, Becky and Amy. He and Jerry raised their family in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Montana. During his career, he attained a law degree and earned the premier Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.
He was a championship marksman who competed in and won numerous rifle matches from the local level to the National Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. A highlight of his marksmanship days was when he “Creedmored” his competitor, a US Olympic Gold Medalist! He was a master carpenter and mechanic and could build and repair anything. He and his brothers built a cabin in Cuchara, Colorado in 1961, which was a source of great enjoyment for all of the Williams families. He restored classic and antique cars including a Ford Model A, carefully moving parts and pieces from one state to another until he finished the restoration twenty years later! Following his career in the insurance industry he retired from USF&G in 1992. He then embarked on his second career as a master genealogist, thoroughly enjoying the endless research required to trace his family back to the 1600’s. No member of the Williams, Reed, Davis, Ellis or Wyckoff family escaped his scrutiny! His name and work will live on forever on genealogy boards and forums, as well as in the essays and biographies he wrote about his ancestors that will be passed on to future generations. He was an accomplished artist, loved music and sang in a Barbershop quartet for many years. He enjoyed collecting stamps, coins, firearms and Indian artifacts. He was a Mason, a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club and the Episcopal Church.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Jerry in 2006, his parents, Armon and Ruth Williams, in-laws Ray and Jean Cottrell, brother and sister-in-law, John A. and Marilyn Powell Williams. He will live on through his family, Rebecca (Patrick) Foster and Amy Clark, grand children Sky Foster (Stacey Anderson), Jaret Foster (Mona Johnson), Ryli (Steve) Watson and great-grand children Gillian Cathleen Anderson-Foster, Rhys Joseph Anderson-Foster and Silas J Foster. He is also survived by his brother William D. (Jane) Williams, nephew John (Chaundra) Williams, nieces Allison Williams, Erin (Lane) Bramblett and Tracey Williams (Steve Ellet), great-nephews, Michael and Will, great-nieces Audrey, Ariana, Alyssa, Collette and Kelly, sister-in-law Pat Esplund and family and numerous other extended family (The Loud Family – you know who you are!) and many treasured friends.
Thanks so much to the wonderful staff at Aspen Gardens, especially Aimee, Sherri, Mariah, Kwynce, Mike and Sam, St. Peter’s Hospital nurses Amber, Christiana and Abby and the Hospice staff for the love, respect and gentle care extended to him and to us throughout the end of his journey. Happy Trails, Daddy!
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 7th at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Avenue. The inurnment will immediately follow in the St. Peter’s Memorial Garden. A Reception will follow the in the Parish Hall of the Church. Memorials are suggested to Helena food Share, PO Box 943, Helena, Montana 59624 or to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Joe.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the Service
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Cathedral Memorial Garden
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the inurnment
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Cathedral Parish Hall
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the Service
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Cathedral Memorial Garden
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the inurnment
Monday December 7, 2015
St. Peter's Cathedral Parish Hall
511 N. Park Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
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jeff sherlock says
What a great guy!!!!! Always had a great smile and a kind word; rest in peace
Tom Keegan says
Joe and Jerry were great neighbors on Peosta. He was a smart, caring person and will be missed.
Susan Bjerke says
Fondest memories of Joe going to Navy Reserve drills in Missoula. What a patient soul to go to the Mustard Seed Restaurant with Dean, our five young daughters and myself. They loved his deep voice and wonderful stories. He could keep all five kids spellbound while waiting for our orders. Kind man. We will miss him.
David Payne says
Joe hired me at USF&G and during the interview he asked my about my job aspirations with USF&G. When I told him I wanted his job as claim manager someday, he just laughed and said, “Be careful about what you wish for!” Eventually I got my wish, and Joe was right! The best days of my insurance career were with USF&G and Joe. Fond memories…….Rest in peace Joe….
Rick Pyfer says
It was a pleasure to get to know Joe as a Kiwanis member. A wonderful greeter and house committee member. He, like Harvey Marshall who passed in the same week, will be greatly missed by our club.
John Moore says
I remember Joe as a gentle man with a warm smile. I was particularly pleased when his face joined many others in the photo for the Lost & Foundation children’s CD. Warm thoughts for Becky, Amy, and all of your extended clan.
Susie, Kai and Chanlin says
Amy,Becky and Families,
There are so many great memories we have of the times together with all of you. Papa Joe’s passing will create a deep void but he will always be here in our hearts just as Jerry has been. We love you and wish we could be there.
Floris Jean (Snyder) Hampton says
Condolences from our Dodge City High School class. Joe was always “up”.
I have sent emails to the ones I have addresses for.
Don Hahn says
Another class of 45 classmate here in Dodge City. Twas a special class.
Joe’s family and friends will remember Joe
Mark R. Obtinario says
I feel really bad that I didn’t know Joe had passed until the Christmas card we sent this year was returned.
We met as he was trying to get to know more of his extended family. He and his wife spent a few days with us about twenty years ago. Once met he wasn’t the sort of person you could never forget.
Joe was a very special person and he will be missed greatly.
Our most sincere condolences go out to you folks even though they are quite a bit belated.
Larry Nelson says
I have many fond memories while working with Joe at USF&G from 1984 to 1992. All of us Department Heads and spouses shared frequent dinners out and always touched base at all holidays.