Ronald E. Williams

Ronald Eugene Williams, 81, a faithful Sunday School Teacher at Fifth and Fairview Free Holiness church of Pittsburg, KS, beloved husband and fulltime caregiver, entered “The Great Beyond” Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Service is Saturday, July 29th, 2:00 p.m. and a visitation Friday, July 28th, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. will be held at the Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E. 4th Street, Pittsburg, Kansas. Live-streaming will be available at https://livestream.com/accounts/5577867/events/10914261 Final resting place will be Rosebank Cemetery, Mulberry, Kansas. Ronald was born December 22nd, 1941 to Nathan Eugene Williams and Gwendolyn Huffstetler Williams in Van Buren, Arkansas. He was the oldest of eight siblings; Sharon Cottrell, Bennett Williams, Janice Lee, Norman Williams, Valencia Spalding, Dorcas Spalding, and Laneta Campbell. Ronald loved his brothers and sisters very much. He graduated Hobbs Senior High School in 1959 where he was often used as a substitute teacher while still a student. He won an award for tooling a leather saddle and entered it in the Student Craftsman fair at Eastern New Mexico University. His childhood was spent working for his father at the Williams Lumber Yard in Hobbs. Ronald married the love of his life, Sharon Flower Utter, on December 22nd, 1959, and spent their first year of married life in Hobbs, New Mexico before moving to Pittsburg, Kansas. After working for Broadway Lumber and General Machinery, he spent the next fourteen years at Joplin Supply Company. He later became the top salesperson in the company’s history as well as becoming the manager of the Pittsburg office. In 1977 he left Joplin Supply Company to start Hy-Flo Equipment Company after his brother, Bennett Williams, introduced him to the pressure washer business. He owned and operated Hy-Flo Equipment Company for thirty-two years before becoming a full-time caregiver to his wife and did so faithfully up until shortly before his passing. Hy-Flo Equipment Company is now owned and operated by his son, Mylan, and grandsons Landan and Chandler. Hy-Flo is in its 46th year of business, and they have proudly trusted Alkota Manufacturing Company, of Alcester, South Dakota, for their supplier of pressure washers. Ronald was known for his humor, quick wit, being onery, and his mischievousness. He was also a very hard worker and provider for his family. His strong sense of values, integrity, honesty, and faith were recognized by all who knew him. Ronald inherited a love for music from his parents and became an avid guitar and piano player. His favorite instrument was the guitar, and he loved finger picking, Chet Atkins style. He played mostly gospel music, and he shared his musical talent in his home church as well as churches across the country. He helped many people who were financially in need, and he was also a generous supporter of the Gospel, ministers, and missionaries. Ronald formed The Pilgrim’s Quartet. In 1969, the quartet recorded their only album. Reverend Jimmy John Millikin once said, “He also wrote several beautiful songs and could have sung baritone for any quartet in his prime.” Ronald had a gift for teaching four-part harmony, and he used that gift to arrange all the songs on the album. At one point, The Pilgrim’s Quartet was privileged to open for the Blackwood Brothers at a concert in Kansas City. In the early 1980’s and mid 1990’s, Ronald enjoyed Honda Goldwing Motorcycles and took many road trips with Sharon. Ronald also enjoyed playing sports with his children. At the Williams Family Reunion he loved being the designated pitcher for both teams for most of the reunion’s history. Ronald is survived by: Sharon Flower Williams, wife of 63 years, daughter Melody Williams Troutman of Springdale Arkansas, daughter-in-law Karla Williams of Chicopee, Kansas, wife of Ronald’s late son Montee Williams, son Mylan Williams and wife Paula Williams of Pittsburg, Kansas, and his daughter Melissa Williams, ; Grandchildren, Dallas Padgett, wife Tracey, Anna Negrete, husband Carlos, Matthew Williams and wife Ryanna, Landan Williams, Chandler Williams, wife Chelsea; Great grandchildren, Holland, Avian, and Mylan Ace Williams. Siblings Bennett Williams and wife Carol, Janice Lee and husband Ronnie, Dorcas Spalding, and Laneta Campbell and husband Donny. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Gwendlyn Williams, son Montee Williams, sister Sharon Cottrell, brother Norman Williams, and sister Valencia Spalding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ronald and Sharon Williams Trust on behalf of the Missionary Fund.

Ronald E. Williams

December 22, 1941 - July 23, 2023