E. Dean Williams was born March 3, 1928, in Glasco, Ks. and died February 13, 2024, at the age of 95. He was the youngest of 6 children born to Jesse and Emma Olson Williams and graduated from Glasco High in 1946. He then served for 2 years in the U.S. Navy Air Corps before returning to Glasco upon his honorable discharge. Dean then went to work at the Co-Op service station for a year and then the Natural Gas Pipeline Station in Glasco. In May 1951 Dean was united in marriage to Joyce Henning, a marriage that lasted 63 years until her passing in 2014. In December 1953, Dean and Joyce moved to Hammond, IL. as the Company transferred him to a new pipeline station there. While living there, their two children were born, Jody in December 1953 and Randy in October 1955. Dean and Joyce missed Cloud County, so they moved to Concordia in May 1956 and Dean accepted a job with the Co-Op. He accepted a position with the Fidelity State Bank in 1958 and continued working in the banking industry until his retirement in 1993. During his 35 years in the banking business, he was a strong supporter of the community, having served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Cloud-Republic Bankers Association, and the Bankers of America Institute in Salina. Dean was also one of the Founders of the Cloud County Community College and served on the Board of Trustees for 4 years, being the Chair the final year. He was also a long-time member of the NCK Saddle Club and helped with the construction of the new rodeo arena. Hobbies included hunting, horseback riding, and fishing. He also loved to play pool and pitch. Dean was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather and was never happier than spending time with his family, especially with the grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joyce, brothers Lyle, Lewie, and Jack and sisters Melva Letourneau and Eva Crum. He is survived by children Jody (Alex) Sanchez of Salina and Randy (Deb) Williams of Valley Center, Ks., 3 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren,3 great great grandchildren, and special friend, Beulah Nobert.
A memorial service officiated by Pastor Jim Winter will be held June 7th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Concordia Lutheran Church with visitation with the family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the church and inurnment at the Glasco Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to The Concordia Lutheran Church or The Brown Grand Theatre in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
