In Memory Of
Charles Wayne Williams
1930
2021
Charles Wayne Williams
April 23, 1930 — January 23, 2021
Charles "Wayne" Williams
April 23, 1930 – January 23, 2021
At the age of 90 years and 9 months exactly, Wayne Williams passed away. He was born in the little town of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and was raised by his parents, Oscar and Mayme Williams, in another little town, Wales, Wisconsin until he was ten years old. Then they moved to a rural farm in Wisconsin, which was Wayne's home until he joined the United States Air Force (Wichita Falls, TX) in 1950.
Wayne was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base for four years and during that time he met the love of his life, Corene Lovett, a Texas beauty living in Nocona, Texas. A romance developed and they were married on December 26, 1951 in Nocona. Three daughters and one son – Vickie, Helen, Mark and Carolyn – were born into their family. Wayne and Corene were married for sixty-five years until she died in February of 2017.
Wayne attended the Church of Christ with Corene's family and was baptized in 1956 at the 10th & Broad Church in Wichita Falls, TX. The year before that, Wayne started in the shoe business. He worked in various places (as salesman, assistant manager and manager with Bakers Shoes) and finally landed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1962. Ten years later, he launched out by purchasing his own store, and for the next twenty-two years he and Corene worked together at the Shoe Horn.
When Wayne became a Christian he decided, "If I'm going to be a Christian, I'm going to be good one." In addition to his work and family, he became a leader in the church they attended in Cedar Rapids. He served there as a teacher of Bible classes, a deacon and eventually an elder, a role he fulfilled from 1974 to 1994. Wayne was as good a servant, as good a leader and as good a friend as the good old church knew. His favorite verse was always, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
For the last twenty-six years, Wayne has lived in Kansas. He owned a farm and a couple of businesses in the Eureka, Kansas, area until declining health for both him and Corene brought them to Olathe, KS.
Wayne gave his heart to Corene one day in 1951. His love for her never faltered. He gave his life to Christ one day in 1956. He has stayed the course in his Christian walk. In his own words he has been "an elder, a churchman, a teacher and a businessman." For all of us he has been a Worthy example, an Absolute rock, a Yokefellow of honor, a Never-ending fountain of good humor, and an Everlasting witness for Christ in our lives.
Wayne was preceded in death by his two brothers, "Bill" and Dennis Williams, by his wife, Corene, and by a daughter who died in infancy, Virginia Mame. He is survived by his four children, Vickie (and husband, Dan) Knight; Helen (and husband, Marty) Taliaferro; Mark (and wife, Diana) Williams; and Carolyn (and husband, Ron) McCord. He has twelve grandchildren (each of Wayne's children had two sons and one daughter, in that order) and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to REACH Campaign, Overland Park Church of Christ, 13400 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 65213
Graveside service on Friday, January 29, at 1pm, in Severy, Kansas. For the safety of all attending, masks are requested.
April 23, 1930 – January 23, 2021
At the age of 90 years and 9 months exactly, Wayne Williams passed away. He was born in the little town of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and was raised by his parents, Oscar and Mayme Williams, in another little town, Wales, Wisconsin until he was ten years old. Then they moved to a rural farm in Wisconsin, which was Wayne's home until he joined the United States Air Force (Wichita Falls, TX) in 1950.
Wayne was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base for four years and during that time he met the love of his life, Corene Lovett, a Texas beauty living in Nocona, Texas. A romance developed and they were married on December 26, 1951 in Nocona. Three daughters and one son – Vickie, Helen, Mark and Carolyn – were born into their family. Wayne and Corene were married for sixty-five years until she died in February of 2017.
Wayne attended the Church of Christ with Corene's family and was baptized in 1956 at the 10th & Broad Church in Wichita Falls, TX. The year before that, Wayne started in the shoe business. He worked in various places (as salesman, assistant manager and manager with Bakers Shoes) and finally landed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1962. Ten years later, he launched out by purchasing his own store, and for the next twenty-two years he and Corene worked together at the Shoe Horn.
When Wayne became a Christian he decided, "If I'm going to be a Christian, I'm going to be good one." In addition to his work and family, he became a leader in the church they attended in Cedar Rapids. He served there as a teacher of Bible classes, a deacon and eventually an elder, a role he fulfilled from 1974 to 1994. Wayne was as good a servant, as good a leader and as good a friend as the good old church knew. His favorite verse was always, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
For the last twenty-six years, Wayne has lived in Kansas. He owned a farm and a couple of businesses in the Eureka, Kansas, area until declining health for both him and Corene brought them to Olathe, KS.
Wayne gave his heart to Corene one day in 1951. His love for her never faltered. He gave his life to Christ one day in 1956. He has stayed the course in his Christian walk. In his own words he has been "an elder, a churchman, a teacher and a businessman." For all of us he has been a Worthy example, an Absolute rock, a Yokefellow of honor, a Never-ending fountain of good humor, and an Everlasting witness for Christ in our lives.
Wayne was preceded in death by his two brothers, "Bill" and Dennis Williams, by his wife, Corene, and by a daughter who died in infancy, Virginia Mame. He is survived by his four children, Vickie (and husband, Dan) Knight; Helen (and husband, Marty) Taliaferro; Mark (and wife, Diana) Williams; and Carolyn (and husband, Ron) McCord. He has twelve grandchildren (each of Wayne's children had two sons and one daughter, in that order) and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to REACH Campaign, Overland Park Church of Christ, 13400 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 65213
Graveside service on Friday, January 29, at 1pm, in Severy, Kansas. For the safety of all attending, masks are requested.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Wayne Williams, please visit our flower store.
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