Thomas Ely Williams

Thomas Ely Williams was born on March 5, 1948, in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Cora Deaton and Tom Williams. He passed away at Primrose Assisted Living in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on September 29, 2023, at the age of 75. Ely graduated from Sayre High School in 1966 and subsequently from Okmulgee Tech as a Machinist, moving to and working in the Grand Prairie, Texas area after graduation. He married Linda Louise Minatra and her son, Randall, age seven, in 1978. He lived and worked in Bryson, Texas, until Linda’s sudden death in 1989.

Following the birth of his daughter, Shana, in 1991 in Bridgeport, Texas, he moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1993 and continued his employment as a machinist at Eaton Corporation, retiring in 2016. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, where he met and married Floia Butler on September 29, 1999. They enjoyed a wonderful life until his passing on September 29th, 2023, which coincidentally was Ely and Flo’s 24th anniversary. Ely volunteered at St. Anthony's Hospital for two years and served as the volunteers' president.

Ely is survived by his wife, Floia, of the home, son Randall and wife, Deanna, of Megargel, TX; grandchildren Lyle and Linda of Lubbock, TX; daughter Shana and husband Ricardo Aaron and grandchildren Alexis & Corinne of OKC; brothers, J.C. and wife Debbie, of Canyon, TX, Don and wife Janet of Offerle, KS; Johnny and wife Carrie of Pampa, TX; Randy and wife Cindy of Guymon, OK and two sisters, Deborah Caraway of Richardson, TX and Jane Mitchell and husband Alan of Duncan, OK, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews. He also is survived by his stepchildren - daughter Alecia & Richie Davis, Leroy Butler, Sam & Karen Butler, and Granddaughter Tara Welcher, her husband, Justin, and as he would say, “the ones that made him GREAT” Maycee and Kaydence. In addition to other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ely was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Deaton Williams; his wife, Linda; his stepdaughter, Gayleen Summers; and great nephew, Nicholas Williams.

A funeral service for Thomas will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Liberty Baptist Church, 711 East Federal Street, Shawnee, OK 74804.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfh.com for the Williams family.