Ray Vernon Williams

Ray Williams, 94, of Geff, Illinois passed away on March 22, 2026, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.

He was born on June 16, 1931, in Berryville, Illinois at the Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois. He was the son of Wallace and Effie (McNair) Williams. He married Rose Parker on January 19, 1958, in Decatur, Illinois and they had 68 wonderful years together.  

Ray served his country in the United States Air Force for 4 years from December 1951 until August 1955, where he was an aircraft electrician and after an honorable discharge from the Air Force he continued with the civil service for 34 years at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois and Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was a member of the Ellery Christian Church in Ellery, Illinois. After retiring, he enjoyed working on his farm and also he and Rose enjoyed going to Quartzsite, Arizona where they camped and managed the campsite.

Ray is survived by his wife, Rose Williams, son, Raymond (Karen) Cook of Petersburg, Illinois, son, Keith Wallace (Veronica) Williams of Sugar Land, Texas and son-in-law, Theodore Bachman of Monticello, Illinois. Also surviving are grandchildren, Roseana Johnson, Tiffany Cook, Rosemary Pagliaro, Chloe Kathryn Williams, Regan Rose Williams, great-grandchildren, Kahlan, Ariana, Carman, Peyton Rose, Kendall, Christian and two great-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Kathryn Bachman, brothers, Maynard Williams, Charles F. Williams, Ward Williams, sister, Eleanor Seitz, and one grandson, Cohan Willms.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:00 p.m.– 2:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.

Burial will follow the service at the Friendsville Cemetery in Friendsville, Illinois.

Memorial contributions in memory of Ray Williams can be made to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Williams family.

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