Jerry Allen Williams

 Jerry Allen Williams was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Walter and Mildred on November 20, 1943 and fell asleep in death on Friday, July 2, 2021, at his home in Newton.  On June 20, 1965, Jerry was united in marriage with Susan Elizabeth Burnham in Oskaloosa. They made their home on the family farm in Rose Hill where Jerry was raised by his grandparents, Howard and Lillie Wymore. 

Jerry and Susan farmed together while Jerry finished his college degree and worked a full-time job.  In 1967, they moved to Joliet, Illinois so that Jerry could pursue his career as a computer programmer for the Rock Island Railroad. In 1969, Jerry and Susan began their family with the birth of their first son, Jerry Dean, followed by the arrival of Scott Allen in 1971.  In 1972, they moved to Downers Grove, Illinois where their family continued to grow.  They welcomed Emily Marie in 1973, Phillip John in 1976, Amanda Lynne in 1979, and Robert Carl in 1983.  Jerry also worked for Time, Inc. and then retired from IBM in 2016.  While at IBM, Jerry was awarded a joint patent for anti-choking monitoring device for infants.  In 1995, Jerry and Susan returned to Iowa.  On April 17, 2009, they adopted Desmond James, Millicent Rose, and Penelope Elizabeth Williams. 

Jerry was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on November 6, 1976, and lived the remainder of his life as a faithful servant of Jehovah.  He enjoyed working with his hands doing woodworking, mechanical, and electrical projects.  He also would help build and remodel Kingdom Halls.  Jerry was a tinkerer of all things and would help anyone tackle any project of any size.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Susan Williams, of 56 years; five sons and four daughters, Jay (Candice) Williams of Newton, Scott (Julie) Williams of Des Moines, Emily (Sean) Curtis of Dothan, Alabama, Phillip (Danielle) Williams of Newton, Amanda (David) Cline of Newton, Robert Williams of Grinnell, and Desmond, Millicent, and Penelope of Newton; 16 grandchildren, Hannah (Kyle) Clark, Aurora (Jonathon) Abramowicz, Clay Williams, Nicole Williams, Jacob Hague, Joshua and Christian Hribar, Kieran (Gabby) Williams, Samirah Yauk, Matthew and Ethan Cline, and Madison and Morgan Curtis; two great-grandchildren, Zaiden and Malcom Clark; his sister, Lezlie Elaine Marshall; and two nieces, Jessica (Corey) Knauer and Lauren (Brenton) Bridgman.

Jerry was preceded in death by his grandparents that raised him, Howard Ray and Lillie Mae Wymore; two sisters, Lynette Ellen and Sherry Maureen; two uncles, Raymond and Leroy Wymore and an aunt, Lucille Webster. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry Allen Williams, please visit our floral store.