Norman Williams, 83, of Mexico passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Norman Williams was born March 30, 1939 in Mexico, to Thelma Belle (Wilburn) and Hugh James Williams. He graduated from Community R-6 High School in 1957, and attended technical school in St. Louis. He married Janet Lee Thurman of Vandalia in 1960, at Mt. Olivet Presbyterian Church in rural Vandalia. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2020.
Norman is survived by three sons, Kevin of Portland, Ore., Jim (Kristi Kessler-Williams) of Mexico and John (Amy Azdell Williams) of Mexico; five grandchildren, Hannah, Alec, Graham, Ian and Madeline, all of Mexico; a brother, Hugh (Sue) of Columbia; sisters, Jane (Jerry) Cooper of Mexico and Sharon (Bill) Daly of Columbia. He was preceded in death by both parents and his brother, Jim Williams of Thompson.
Norman and Janet started their family on the old Williams farm before moving to Mexico in 1970. He hauled grain for Carl Burchfield for several years in Mexico while continuing to farm the home place. He then went to work for Kaiser Refractories which later became National Refractories in Mexico. As a member of the Aluminum Brick and Glass Workers Union, he spent 27 years at the plant, working as a maintenance mechanic before retiring, making many lifelong friendships and memories in the process.
A constant “tinkerer,” Norman took up woodworking after retirement making toys for the grandchildren in his wood shop in the basement of their house. He became involved in restoring and pulling antique tractors, in particular his Farmall 230 and Super H tractors. If he wasn’t working on one of his tractors, he could be found pulling or attending antique tractor pulls in the area.
Norman was active as a member and later as president of the Missouri chapter of Red Power, a group dedicated to International Harvester tractors and implements. They helped organize and attended the events throughout the upper Midwest. In his famous words, “If it isn’t red, it stays in the shed!” Norman was blessed to have five grandchildren, which gave him a lot of joy and a lot of trouble. The grandkids spent many days with Grandpa and Grandma as well, playing, cooking and generally having fun and creating havoc.
He will be missed by many.
Memorial services for Norman and Janet Williams will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Arnold Funeral Home. Burial will be in Benton City Cemetery.
Visitation is Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the International Harvesters Collectors Missouri Chapter 1. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com.
