Donald Ray Williams

ST. JOSEPH – Donald Ray Williams of St. Joseph, 78, passed on from this life on Monday (Nov. 14, 2016).

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Patterson Cemetery in St. Joseph.

Don, the son of a coal miner and oldest of five children, was born on Aug. 18, 1938, to Lester and Alice (Wainwright) Williams. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his infant siblings, Carolyn and Jerry. His best friend and partner in crime Pete, a black Lab mix, also preceded him in death.

Don married Bonnie Jean McElwee on June 21, 1959. Don and Bonnie had three children, Rodney (Melissa) Williams of St. Joseph, Melinda (Greg) Campbell of Mahomet and Cathy (Kyle) Jorgensen of Bloomington. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, brother Dave Williams of Danville, and sister Linda (Bob) Adolph of Catlin.

Don is also survived by six grandchildren, Miranda (Adam) Groth of Kansas City, Mo., Andrew Kumler of Boulder, Colo., Kyle Williams and Jonathon Williams, both of St. Joseph, Arek Jorgensen and Seth Jorgensen, both of Bloomington; and lastly, Charlie Girl, his beloved black Lab.

Don was a 1957 graduate of Oakwood High School, Oakwood. He then began a long career as a grocery clerk, employed by A&P Grocery. Don worked at several A&P stores, including Champaign, Georgetown and Paxton. He also worked at Ayr-Way IGA, Prospect IGA and Rantoul IGA as produce manager.

Don retired and continued to do what he enjoyed - delivering fresh produce, which he sold to local grocers. In the summer, he'd drive to the "melon patch" for cantaloupe and watermelons and in the autumn pumpkins and firewood.

Don often displayed his goods in the front lawn of his home and sold them using the "honor system." Occasionally, Don gave away more than he sold but did not mind because he enjoyed visiting with both friends and people whom he did not know.

Along with the assistance of picking out the perfect melon or pumpkin came a "Hey, come on in" or a wave from him at the front door. No one left without hearing a story from Don or receiving a pleasant chat.

Don and Bonnie loved going to the Great Smoky Mountains, driving through Gatlinburg and continuing through to Cherokee, N.C. Don and Bonnie would sometimes make several trips a year to the Smoky Mountains, visiting Cades Cove in hopes of seeing a bear before returning to their favorite restaurant, Huck Finn's Catfish, and their favorite hotel, The Norma Dan Hotel. Don's favorite entertainment was the singer and comedian "High Pockets" at the Smoky Mountain Jubilee.

Don was also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring doctors, nurses and staff at Presence Covenant Medical Center who helped care for Don during his stay.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Fire and Rescue for their wonderful care and service over the years.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements.