Lawrence Paul Williams

Lawrence Paul Williams, 85, of Bartonville passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Snyder Village. Larry was born on June 17, 1941, to Eynon and Mary (Schepke) Williams in Peoria, IL. He married Barbara J. Birmingham at St. John’s Catholic Church on October 19, 1963, in Peoria.

She survives, along with 3 daughters: Christine (Michael) Short of East Peoria; Angela (Kevin) Onysio of Athens, AL; and Regina (Bryan) Ogle of Athens, AL. Larry also had 5 grandchildren who were the light of his life: Ryan (Megan) Short of East Peoria; Matthew (Whitney) Onysio of Spring Hill, TN; Alexander Onysio of Nashville, TN; Grace (Justin) Edgar of Athens, AL; and Andrew (Kyla Mathner) Ogle of Knoxville, TN. He also has three great-grandsons: Hudson Onysio, Caden Onysio, and Brooks Edgar, and one great-granddaughter due in October. Also surviving are one sister, Pixie (Clare) Hutchinson of Peoria and several nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Fred Kraus; two sisters, Rosalie Kraus and Mary Ann Schell; and an infant granddaughter, Ellie Barbara Ogle.

Larry was a graduate of Manual High School class of 1959. Most of his working years were spent employed by the United States Postal Service for 33 years, retiring in 1997. During his time with the USPS he was a letter carrier, a union representative for the NALC, and later a manager in labor relations. After his retirement from the USPS he worked as a field examiner for Romolo & Associates until 2009. In addition, he was a football and basketball official for the IHSA. He began officiating in 1970 and continued officiating high school boys basketball until 1994 and high school football until 2002. He was inducted into the Greater Peoria Officials Association Hall of Fame. Larry had a lifelong love of sports and in his younger years played basketball, baseball, and softball. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and attended 2 World Series as a young man. Larry was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Larry was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Dad always had a story for any conversation that was to be had. He regaled us with stories from his days at the Post Office, memorable games that he officiated, the roads he traveled while working as a field examiner, and the antics he engaged in as a young man. He loved looking back on those times and was always eager to share them with anyone who would listen. In his later years, he became a “mall walker” and his walking buddies got to hear his tales and opinions about life.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 1010 S. Louisa in Peoria, on Friday, September 11, at 10:30 am. Visitation will take place at 9:30am before Mass at the church. Entombment will take place at Resurrection Mausoleum. Fr. Jeremy Freehill will officiate.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at Davison-Fulton.com