JUNIOR EARL WILLIAMS ~ Class of 1947
January 15, 1929 - December 11, 2010





Junior Earl Williams passed away in his home in West Richland, WA, on December 11, 2010. He was 81. Born in Monmouth, KS, January 16, 1929, his family moved to the Tri-Cities in 1943. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1947, where he lettered in basketball... always a proud Bomber. Junior met his future wife Mary Ann Nacke ('47) in their high school English class. The book reports she prepared for him must have passed because they continued their journey together for 64 years. Together they raised children in the turquoise house on GWWay and in 1979 moved to West Richland. After retiring from Westinghouse Hanford as an N-Reactor Senior Scheduling Analyst at the age of 60, he was able to play in his garden till the cows came home... literally.

Junior is survived by his wife Mary Ann Nacke Williams; three children: Dave and Dan Williams, both of Kent, WA and JoAnn (Jodi Burleson/Ronnie) of West Richland; two grandsons Dean (Jennifer) Smith of Richland and Weston Williams of Kent, as well as four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his, brother Mike (Carol) Williams of Medford, OR and sister, Lenore (Bud/deceased) Hill of Grandview. Surviving family also includes in-laws from the Nacke clan: Bob, Shirley, Joe and Carolyn along with many nieces and nephews including his Godchild Larry Nacke.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Tri-City Cancer Center who helped Junior through his two-year battle with lung cancer. We also want to extend our immense appreciation to the RNs who helped us care for him these past two weeks: Teresa, Amanda, Kim, Cindy, Tara, both Dawns and angels Dominic & Sheila. Also, thank you Hospice for your guidance and comfort.

Please join the family, Friday, December 17 at 7pm when the Rosary will be said at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. On Saturday, December 18, 10am a Mass will be held at Christ the King Church in Richland with reception following.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Tri-City Union Gospel Mission or the YLI Golden Jubilee Burse for Seminarians, Christ the King Church.

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