BLACK CREEK, Wis. — Jerry A. Williams, 55, died March 3 in Black Creek, Wis., after a long battle with cancer.

A former resident of the Great Bend and Ellinwood area, Jerry was born on Nov. 9, 1955, in El Dorado, the son of Vernon and Delores (Tharpe) Williams. He married Diane L. (Paulson) Murray on Aug. 6, 1999.

Williams was employed as a diesel technician in the Appleton, Wis., area. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Appleton. He loved his family and riding his motorcycle.

Survivors include his wife, Diane; his father, Vernon Williams, of El Dorado; his mother, Delores Tharpe, of Kansas; children, Jennifer, Justin and Jarret Williams, all of Kansas, Jennifer Schoenick and husband, Kurt, of Appleton, Wis.; brothers, Mike Williams and wife Susan, of Great Bend, Donny Williams of Maryland, and Brandon Williams and wife Keely of Ohio; and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Williams, of Ellinwood.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 530 W. Parkway Blvd., Appleton, Wis., with Pastor Mark Henke officiating. Visitation is scheduled at the church from 4:30 p.m. Friday until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund, Community First Credit Union, P.O. Box 1487, Appleton, Wis., 54912. Verkuilen Funeral Home in Little Chute, Wis., is in charge of arrangements.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 16, 2011#