Thomas Williams

Thomas Tom Curham Williams, age 84 of Independence, Kansas died Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 11, 2012 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Neodesha, Kansas with Father Andrew Heiman officiating. Burial will follow in the Neodesha Cemetery under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Reciting of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Neodesha, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012 with the family receiving friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to the American Cancer Society or the St. Andrews Catholic Church and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Thomas Tom Curham Williams was born August 30, 1927 in Osawatomie, Kansas to Curham and Esther Cannon Williams. Tom grew up in Neodesha, Kansas and graduated from Neodesha High School in 1945. On May 17, 1945 Tom entered the United States Marines and served during World War II until his honorable discharge on May 6, 1947. Tom attended the Kansas Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas while going to school he worked at the Frisco Railroad. Tom worked for Anaconda Copper where he spent two years in Peru. He then went to work for Ford Motor Company until his retirement in 1985. On January 23, 1949 Tom married Lois Smalley in Neodesha, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 30, 1998. On August 30, 2003 Tom married Dorothy Horner Featherngill in Neodesha, Kansas. Tom was a proud member of the Marine Corp League, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and St. Andrews Catholic Church. Tom was also preceded in death by his brother and best friend Billy Williams and sister Doris Howell. Survivors include his beloved wife Dorothy of the home two daughters Debra Ostroe of Neodesha, Kansas and Cindy Caudill and husband Larry of Hurst, Texas sister Peggy Riley of Bella Vista, Arkansas 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.