Ronald Rea Williams

Ronald Williams was born in Milford, Nebraska to Melvern & Lura Williams on December 8th, 1934. He graduated from Milford High School in 1953 and attended the University of Nebraska. During college he signed up for ROTC with the United States Air force with a dream to become a fighter pilot.

He spent 22 years flying aircraft on behalf of the United States Air Force, with three tours of duty during the Vietnam war. He retired in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then worked for Lockheed, flying U2 missions on behalf of NASA and other organizations until he retired from flying in 1996. He holds nine world records, multiple citations of bravery, including: The Distinguished Flying Cross Award, Air Medal Award, three bronze stars and the Nasa public service medal. He holds records for most missions and most hours flown in a U-2/ER-2, and for flying at the highest altitude. He was the first man to fly over both the north and south poles exploring the Ozone holes in the 80s.

He married Virginia Miller in 1959 in Milford, Nebraska, and had two daughters. He later married Judy Spano in 1991 and added two new daughters to his family. He was immensely loved by his family and friends. He told the best stories of his adventures to anyone who was interested. And everyone was. He would never turn down a prime rib dinner with a fully loaded baked potato and a nice glass of Chardonnay (aka apple juice).

He was a competitive man who spent years dedicating and perfecting his racquetball skills. He attended the senior Olympics in 2019, winning a silver medal. He recently qualified for the next senior Olympics to be held in 2025 and was looking forward to winning the gold metal this time!

We will miss him, and the memories made with him will be cherished by those who love him dearly.

Ronald Williams is preceded in death by spouses Virginia Williams and Judy Williams. His parents Melvern and Lura Wiliams. His siblings: Vada, Vida, Velma, Velda, Don, Oris, Calvin, Orville, and Melvern.

Ronald Williams is survived by his daughters Rhonda Hinrichs and Melanie Brown (Mike) and stepdaughters Nancy Ekanger and Stacy White (Edward). Grandchildren: Jonathan Hinrichs (Kara), Patricia Burbach, Ronald Glantz, Thomas Glantz, Robert Glantz (Saidee), Alan Ekanger (Emily), Austin Ekanger (Michelle), Jillian White, Montana Coletti (Kyle). Great grandchildren: Evelyn Hinrichs, Ada Hinrichs, Max Hinrichs, Valerie Burbach, Mason Coletti and Molly Coletti.

A private Family service will be held on December 11th at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City NV at 11:20am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Stroke Association in honor of Ronald Williams which can be found at www.stroke.org.