Ralph Williams

Ralph Williams
1931 - 2014

Celebration of life services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kingswood United Methodist Church with Jim Uselton and Dr. Brad Reeves officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Ashland, Kan. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Ralph was born June 6, 1931, in Meade, Kan., to Clarence and Velma Williams. He graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, and went on to attend Dodge City Junior College and Wichita University, graduating with a geology and economics degree in 1953. Ralph married Marilyn Carpenter on May 24, 1953, in Wichita, Kan., and this year would have celebrated 61 years of marriage.

Also in 1953, he joined the Army to serve his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged upon completion of commitment.

He worked several years for Cities Service Oil Co., and retired from Tuco Incorporated, a subsidiary of Southwestern Public Service, in 1979. After retirement, he opened A&H Machine Shop and enjoyed working on cars. He was instrumental in getting the micro midget racetrack started, to which all proceeds were given to the Speech and Hearing Center. He served as a board member of Hochheim Insurance, as well as being a past member of the Kansas, Panhandle and West Texas Geological Societies.

He loved to help people, no matter what the situation. He was very active in his Sunday school class and was instrumental in the start up of the Speech and Hearing Center in Amarillo.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Williams; three children, Karen Morris of Amarillo and Kenny Williams and Kathy Dunlap, both of Panhandle; three grandchildren, Michelle Roberts of Panhandle and Michael Williams and Jason Neusch, both of Amarillo; two great-grandchildren, Lexi and Cole Nicholes of Panhandle; and a brother, Don Williams of Farmington, N.M.

The family suggests memorials be to Moog Center for Deaf Education, 12300 S. Forty Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141; or Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, 603 E. Hildenbrand Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212; or a favorite charity.

Sign the online guest book at www.coxfuneralhomeamarillo.com.