Thomas Ross Williams Jr.
1956 - 2021
Thomas Ross Williams Jr., 64, passed
peacefully on March 19, 2021. He was born November 13, 1956 in
McComb, Illinois, to Thomas and Marlene Williams and was elder
brother to Dr. Ted Williams.
In his first two years of school, Tom
was a cadet at the John Brown Military Academy in California. The
rest of the time, Tom grew up in the Kansas City area. He was a
lifelong fan of the Chiefs and Royals and spent his early years
participating in sports and playing the trombone in jazz band. During
college he was a camp counselor at the Heartland Presbyterian Center.
He graduated in 1981 from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of
Science in Health Care Administration. He enjoyed attending Wichita
State Basketball Shocker games with his family. He earned his Master
of Arts in Human Relations from Webster University in 1984. He
dedicated his 30-year professional career as a Retirement Community
Administrator to the service of the aging population in Missouri,
Florida, Oklahoma, and Kansas. His last fourteen years were spent as
CEO of Asbury Park.
Tom married the love of his life,
Melynnie, on October 17, 1981. This year marked their 40th wedding
anniversary. Tom was a devoted husband and father to three beautiful
daughters. He loved his family and never missed an opportunity to
support them at a sporting event, musical concert, theatrical
production or other endeavors. He was a gracious mentor to three
sons-in-law and a doting Papa to three grandchildren with another
expected in August.
Tom was active in public service and
civic engagements. He served his faith community through leadership
roles in his local church and passionately supported missions,
including participating in a trip to Haiti in 2016. He was an
ordained elder in the church and he & Melynnie were charter
members of the Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Florida. He
served on the Newton Medical Center Board and was chair of the Ethics
committee, past President of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, board
member of Mirror, Inc., President of the Kansas Association of Homes
for the Aging and board member and Treasurer for Leading Age Kansas.
In 2018, he was recognized as Newton Area Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Citizen. As a member of the Newton Rotary Club, Tom
served as past President, a Paul Harris Fellow, and was involved with
numerous fundraisers including Meals on Wheels. He also chaired the
Mayor's task force examining the law enforcement faculties.
Tom was diagnosed with ALS in January
2018. Even after his diagnosis his faith in God did not waiver. His
family and friends described him as strong, positive, unselfish, and
courageous. He continued to inspire those around him and live his
life to the fullest.
Tom's legacy will live on through his
family including wife Melynnie (Mikish) Williams; daughters Dr.
Chelsea Thomas (Jarren Thomas), Caitlyn Williams (John Cunningham),
Chandler Ochoa (Yordano Ochoa); grandchildren Owen Williams
Cunningham, Jaxon Thomas, and Olive Williams Cunningham, and Baby
Ochoa (August 2021); parents Thomas and Marlene Williams; and brother
Dr. Ted Williams (BJ Williams).
The family is offering visitation hours
on Thursday April 1, from 4-6pm in the parking lot of Trinity Heights
United Methodist Church. Individual to-go slices of Tom's favorite
pies will be served. Masks will be required to ensure everyone's
safety.
A celebration of life will be held on
Friday April 2nd at 11:00am hosted by Trinity Heights United
Methodist Church located at 1200 Boyd Ave, Newton, KS, 67114. Masks
and social distancing will be required for those in attendance.
Please use church entrance adjacent to Trinity Drive. There will be
an option for virtual attendance via Zoom. Please contact the church
office at 316-283-6410 or email at office@trinityheightsumc.org to
request virtual access. Nursery services will not be provided. In
lieu of flowers the family requests donations made in Tom's memory to
the ALS Foundation Mid-America Chapter, Newton Rotary Foundation or
Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.
ALS Association Mid-America Chapter
3450 N Rock Rd. Suite 208
Wichita, KS 67226
Newton Rotary Foundation
PO Box 14
Newton, KS 67114
Trinity Heights United Methodist Church
1200 N Boyd Ave
Newton, KS 67114
