Born December 6, 1940 in Richland, Missouri to Uriah and Edna (Gan) Williams, he married Gail Lynn Newman on March 6, 1992 in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are one son, Steve Williams of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; two step-sons, Brett (Janet) VonDerHeide of Ridgedale, Missouri and Joshua Shelton of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jabez Williams, Karl Williams and Garrett VonDerHeide; two sisters-in-law, Sharon (Tom) Svendsen and Denise (Tim) Adkins, both of Pekin and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Richard Williams; two sisters and three brothers.
A self-made man who became an orphan at age 10, Cecil worked for Excel Foundry in Pekin for 43 years, retiring in 2005 as chief engineer. The engineering wing at Excel is named in his honor. As a private pilot he would even travel to clients in the field.
In retirement he loved to fish, travel and attend church. He formerly enjoyed hunting.
He will be remembered as a sweet man with a quiet spirit that was always kind and well respected.
He was a member of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene.
His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor W. Lloyd Brock will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637 or to American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
