Leon Williams

Leon Raymond Williams of Missionary Acres; Silva, MO was born December 19, 1926. Leon met his beloved Savior face to face on February 8, 2023 at approximately 8:00 A.M. He was 96 years, 1 month and 20 days old. 

Leon Raymond was born on a snowy December day in Austinburg, OH (in the northeast corner of the State) to parents Leo Raymond Williams and Florence Emma (Lindelius) Williams. Leon was the younger brother of Elizabeth Roberta (Ernie) Ferguson and Wanda Mae (Dr. Harry) Wilcke. He was the older brother of Ralph Phillip (Ingrid) Williams, Eugene Ernest (Enid) Williams and Urlind Victor Williams. 

Leon was preceded in death by his sister Roberta and brothers Ralph and Urlind. Urlind died in a motorcycle accident in 1951. Leon was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Marvilyn Williams, who died just two months before he did on December 7, 2022. 

Leon proudly served his Country in the U. S. Navy in WWII from Nov. 22, 1944 until October 29, 1947.  He left high school in his senior year to do so.  He wanted to be a Marine but, his parents refused to sign the paperwork for that so, Leon became a Navy recruit.  Leon graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1948.  He also attended Baptist Bible Institute in Cleveland, OH (1948-1951), Philadelphia Bible Institute; Philadelphia, PA (1951-1954) and Northwestern College in MN.  From 1982-1985 he attended Baptist Bible Institute evening school with his daughter, Lynne.  He graduated as the Valedictorian. 

Leon met his future wife, Marvilyn Summy, when he drove her to his brother’s wedding on June 14, 1956. Marvilyn’s roommate Enid, married Leon’s brother Eugene Williams. Leon & Marvilyn were married on June 14, 1957 in Walnut Street Baptist Church; Waterloo, IA. To this union, 4 children were born: Andrew Mark in 1958, Lynne Rae in 1960, David Matthew in 1963 and Daniel Stephen in 1967. Leon was an instructor/registrar for Baptist School of the Bible in Cleveland, OH from 1956-1966. Leon & Marvilyn served the Lord together with Baptist Mid-Missions from 1966 until the end of 1991. They served in Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL and then again in Cleveland, OH.  They spent their retirement years living at Missionary Acres in Silva, MO continuing to serve the Lord in Evangel Baptist Church. 

Leon is survived by his four children: Andrew (Laurel) Williams of Bristol, IN; Lynne (Ken) Moon of Silva, MO; David (Marlene) Williams of Dayton, OH and Daniel Williams of Tidioute, PA; eleven grandchildren: Grant (Lindsay) Williams, Eric (Katie) Williams, Vicki (Nick) Moore, Mark (Wendi) Moon, Brandon (Lyndsee) Moon, Heather (Lee) Wills, Gregory (Hannah) Moon, Tyler Williams MD, Travis (MacKenzie) Williams, Thaddeus (Veronica) Williams and Adam Williams; and his sixteen wonderful Great Grandchildren. 

Leon will be remembered by his family and friends as a very loving, outgoing, people oriented kind of man.  He loved to be around people and talk!  He was an avid squirrel hunter and loved spending time in the woods as his father before him did also. His favorite color was blue and his favorite sports teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes, Navy, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs football teams and the Cleveland Indians baseball team.  His favorite songs were: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus and Victory in Jesus.  He loved to eat and always asked if there was dessert!  His favorite dessert was pie and ice cream. (2 scoops!)  He enjoyed McDonald’s coffee and pies!  Much to his wife’s dismay, he collected hats, coffee mugs and license plates. He proudly showed his collections to anyone who came to the house.  Most of all, Leon Williams loved the Lord Jesus Christ!  He loved the Word of God and spent many hours each day reading it.  He prayed for his family and the lost souls he knew by name. His greatest desire was that everyone should know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

No doubt this Servant of Christ heard his Master say:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 

Visitation was held at 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Evangel Baptist Church, Missionary Acres, Silva, MO. Funeral services was held at 10:30 am, Friday, February 17, 2023, at Evangel Baptist Church, Missionary Acres. Rev. Irv Cobb and Bro. Ken Moon ministered to the family. Gregory Moon read the obituary. Brandon Moon, David Williams, and Lynne Moon all gave a heartfelt eulogy. Eric Williams, Lee Willis, Mark Moon, Brandon Moon, Gregory Moon served as pallbearers. Burial followed at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 17, 2023, in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Bloomfield, with full military honors provided by the United States Navy. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

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