George L. Williams

George L. Williams, age 81, of Riverview, FL, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023 in Brandon, FL. He was born on September 15, 1941 in Joliet, IL; the son of George G. and Margaret (Campo) Williams. Both his parents preceded him in passing.

He married the love of his life, Joleen S. Zinnel, on October 15, 1974. She preceded him in death in 2020. He is survived by his sisters, Kay Langlois, Josephine (Raymond) Gast; brother Melvin “Dick” (Kathy) Williams; sister-in-law Rosalee (Marty) Koslowski.

He is also survived by his children: Tony Williams, Bloomington, IL; George G. Williams, Colorado Springs, CO; Jeff (Teresa) Housman, Morris, IL; Kelly (Kathy) Housman, Murray, KY; Tim (Kathy) Williams, Roberts, IL; Brenda (Scott) Ripley, Pontiac, IL; Melvin (Johnna) Williams, Chebanse, IL; Sean (Elizabeth) Wilkerson, Kent, WA; Melissa (Andy) Foster, Odell, IL; and Jacqueline Neff, Woodlawn, IL.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrina, Anthony, Adrienne, Amanda, Brieann, River, Carmen, Gabby, Brittani, Matt, Megan, Chris, Brett, Jenna, Nathan, Matthew, Derek, Dylan, Hayley, Kayla, Bryan, Serenety, Journey, Tyson, Kasey, Trevor, Blake, Seth, Katie, Lizzy, Cory, Sequoia, Devyn, Ireland, Lexie and 20 beloved Great Grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his sons, M. Scott Williams and Brian Williams; sister, Beverly (Thomas) Moretti; brothers Francis Williams and Robert Williams; Sisters-in-law, Caroline (James) Bunting, and Sandra (Robert) Stehlik; brothers-in-law, Donald (Darlene) Zinnel and Darrell Langlois.

George was a member of the Riverview Masonic Lodge, the Tampa Scottish Rite and the Egypt Shrine in Tampa, FL. He was also a member of the Showmen’s Club in Riverview, FL where he enjoyed spending time with his friends. For 40 years he loved running the family business, G & J Concessions, with his wife. He was a true Showman and loved traveling around to all the different fairs and festivals. He made friends everywhere he went and loved catching up with those friends year after year. He enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren, giving them golf cart rides and playfully teasing them. He was fondly referred to by the grandchildren as Grandpa Corndog.

While George is happily reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, the rest of us will cherish all our memories and keep Grandpa and Grandma Corndog in our hearts forever.

A visitation will be from 11 am until the 12:00 pm memorial service on Friday, August 11 at the Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon. A celebration of life will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the IISA Showmen’s Scholarship fund, PO Box 3359, Riverview FL 3359 or Egypt Shrine Transportation fund, 5017 E Washington St., Tampa FL 33619