Joe Williams

Joe Lee Williams, age 73, of Independence, Kansas died Thursday, December 17, 2009 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas with the Reverend Steve Butler of the Community Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Cherryvale, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The family has suggested memorials to the Community Christian Church Building Fund and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Joe was born September 10, 1936 in Cherryvale, Kansas to W. Alfred and Bertha Lyon Williams. He grew up in Cherryvale, Kansas and graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1955 where he played football and basketball. While attending Labette County Community College Joe worked on the railroad and in the oil fields. On June 12, 1960 Joe married Mildred Powell in Miami, Oklahoma. In 1958 Joe entered the United States Navy, he was stationed in May Port, Florida before being transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before coming back to May Port, Florida and Norfolk, Virginia. Joe was on the USS. Independence as an air traffic controller until 1974 when he transferred to San Diego, California. Joe taught air traffic control at the Fleet Combat Training Center before retiring from the United States Navy in 1980. The couple moved to Independence, Kansas on June 27, 2005. Joe coached pop warner, football, basketball and baseball, he was a member of the VFW, DAV and the American Legion. Survivors include his wife Mildred of the home; two sons Ron Williams of San Diego, California and Ed Williams of Independence, Kansas; one sister Dorothy Misener of Parsons, Kansas; four grandchildren, one step grandchild and five great grandchildren.