MENDOTA – E.E. "Gene" Williams, 88, of Mendota, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa.

A private family and friend Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with burial at Restland Cemetery, Mendota, and military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family. 

Gene was born July 2, 1934, in Washington, Iowa, to Keith and Ruth (Adkins) Williams, Sr.

Gene is survived by his wife, Connie of Mendota; his children, Tim (Karen) Williams, Tony Williams, Tom (Kristin) Williams, Tyler (Missy) Williams; his son-in-law, Gary Walzer; his stepson, Mark Swope; grandchildren, Christopher (Creigh), Jessica, Carter, Dani (Danny) Rodriguez, Jacob, Eva Jo (Ryan) Newcomb, Ryan (Jordan), Andrew, Addison, Emily (Justin) Kelly, Colton, Shaelyn and Alliah; step-grandchildren, Jacob and Kevin Swope; great-grandchildren, Bennett, Cullen, Brenna Rae, Alexis, Scarlett, Chancellor, Chelsi and Ryder; and sister, Pat (Brad) Goff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Keith Williams Jr. and David Williams, his first wife and mother of his children, Eva Williams, daughter Traci (Williams) Walzer and granddaughter Brenna Christman.

He graduated from Washington High School where he lettered as a varsity captain of the football and basketball teams. He married his high school sweetheart, Eva Blattner on March 14, 1954. She passed away on May 1, 1994. Gene graduated college at the University of South Dakota with a business degree and a minor in economics. He had many accomplished Administrative positions during his life: U.S. Public Health in Aberdeen, S.D.; U.S. Public Health at Belcourt, N.D. Indian Reservation; Combined Arms in Levenworth, Kan.; Excelsior Spring Hospital in Missouri; Johnson County Hospital in Warrenburg, Mo.; Mendota Community Hospital where he retired from after 33 years; Mendota Community Hospital Board of Directors; member of  American College Hospital Administrators; member of Mendota Rotary Club; served on Mendota School Board and served in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957 as a Tech/Sergeant. Gene was stationed at Thule, Greenland and at St. John's Newfoundland, Canada among others in the United States.

Gene was married to Connie Yenerich on Jan. 24, 1998 and they spent 25 years together. They continued his lifelong wanderlust and traveled to all 50 states and seven provinces. Later they were "snowbirds" for three months each year in Biloxi, Miss. They enjoyed walking on the beach, going to casinos, watching Western movies and most of all being with family and friends. Gene always took time to enjoy and never missed any of his children's athletic and competitive events. Gene will truly be missed and loved by all who knew him. We feel God has blessed us to have had such an amazing and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was such a gentle Christian man.

Memorials may be directed to the family to purchase a bench in memory of Gene at Mendota Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.