Donald Williams

Don was born July 12, 1919, in Olathe, Kansas, the second son of Frank and Odessa Rhodes Williams. He was a lifelong resident of the growing and caring community. He rode his pony "Tom Mix" to Moonlight School and practiced fishing in the local farm ponds. He grew up helping his dad harvest wheat and repair farm machinery. As a child, his job was to maintain the oilers on the threshing machines and bring water to all the workers in the field. Later, he helped operate the equipment and bail the hay. He used the money he earned to pay for his education at the University of Kansas where he was a member of the ATO fraternity. It was here that he made many close friends who remain so for the rest of his life. He received a Bachelor of Business degree in 1943.
During his junior high days, he met the love of his life, Virginia Gsell, and they were sweethearts all through school and college. They were married on June 12, 1943 in Olathe. During their early married life they both worked at the Sunflower Ordinance Plant and bought their first house in the little town they loved.
After the war, Don worked at his father's Oliver Farm Implement business which he later inherited. He and Virginia had two daughters, Nancy in 1944 and Shirley in 1946. They were active members of the First Methodist Church and were instrumental in raising the funds to build the church on Harrison Street. Don enjoyed ushering and sitting in the congregation listening to Virginia singing in the choir. They were also active in the fundraising for the First Olathe Hospital.
Virginia was always by Don's side square dancing, playing bridge, and fishing. They supported their daughters in their musical endeavors and were always present at any performance. Don was a member of the Olathe Jaycees where he was the second president and Virginia was by his side as a member of the Jaycee Janes. They both enjoyed representing Olathe at many conventions all over the United States.
In 1957, Olathe's Centennial year, Don and Virginia were chosen to ride on a float depicting Mr and Mrs Olathe in the annual Old Settler's parade. Don was a member of the Johnson County Sheriff's Posse and rode his horse "Skipper" many times. He represented the OHS class of 1938 riding in a golf cart in the parade.
Don was instrumental in the formation the Olathe Community Sportsman's Club where he organized and participated in the annual fishing derby and was a member of the Kansas Wildlife Federation where he ran his beloved Pointers and Brittanys in many trials.
After selling his business, Don was fortunate to be able to acquire several local buildings and retired in his 40's. He rented several of the buildings to local businesses and built the first car wash in the town. With the proceeds from these endeavors, he was able to pay for both of his daughters to attend KU, carrying on his love for the institution.
Don and Virginia loved to travel and spent many winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona where they eventually had a second home. They purchased a motor home and traveled all over the United States, fishing, rockhounding, sightseeing and learning about different cultures. They particularly loved the Arizona desert and "Stripers", The Rocky Mountains, and rainbow trout of Estes Park, Colorado and the lakes, rivers and big mouth bass of the Ozarks. The extended family spent many happy times in all of these places.
Don's life was full of the outdoors. He loved hunting pheasant and quail with his ATO buddies and his sons-in-law. He loved fishing with his Olathe and Lake Havasu friends and neighbors until the end of his life.
Don was a true "Character", full of jokes, quick to smile and "Honest as the day is long". Like his father, he loved to "Dicker" and "Never paid full price for anything!" Friends will remember his generosity and knack for imparting his knowledge of life to children. He was a history buff, a P.E.O. Bil for over 60 years, a geocacher, a rockhound and every child's "Grampa". He will be fondly remembered as a loving husband and father, a life teacher, the "Mayor of Cedar Hills" and one of "Olathe's Finest".
Don was preceded in death by parents, his older brother, Leonard, and his beloved wife Virginia. He is survived by his two daughters Nancy Shepard (Buzz) of Olathe, and Shirley Montgomery (David) of Yuma, Arizona; his three grandchildren Jeff Montgomery (Catie) of Olympia; Julie Montgomery of Yuma, and Joshua Shepard of Olathe; and three great-grandchildren Samantha, Max and Ryan Montgomery of Olympia.
As Don would tell you, He's "Gone Fishin'!"