Mr. Leo Harold Williams, 97, a resident of Luverne, quietly passed away on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 after battling a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. from the Luverne United Methodist Church with Dr. Rev. Robert Yawn and Reverend Mike Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at the Luverne Emmaus Cemetery with Turner Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Nephews, Chuck Knox, Mark Knox and Joey Knox will service as active pallbearers.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, James “Jim” Wilson Williams and Loura Emily Jones Williams of Luverne; three sisters, Bernice Williams Hightower (John Milton) of Sylacauga, Lucille Williams Farrior (Ed Mac) of Union Springs, and Ella Kate Williams (Jimmy) McGrath of Columbus, Miss.; and three brothers, Ralph “Tony” Williams (Eugenia), Eugene “Gene” Williams (Ginna) and Dr. James Warren Williams. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Helen Fomby Williams; son, Walter Harold “Hal” Williams (Nancy), son, Kenneth Rand Williams, all of Luverne; and daughter, Winifred “Wendy” Williams Marks (Dave) of Helen, Ga.; and four grandchildren, Mary Margaret Williams, Daisey Alice Williams, Shelby Kathleen Williams and Kathryn Gray Williams; sister-in-law, Martha Brush Williams, also all of Luverne; as well as 10 nieces and nephews; 11 great-nieces and -nephews; and 12 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Leo loved his God, his country, his family and many friends, all of whom he was blessed to have. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1936 and The University of Alabama where he was in the school of Commerce and Business and a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He then served on active duty in World War II in China, Burma and India. He was the Commander of the Luverne National Guard when he was called into active duty in Korea.

Leo was a member of the United Methodist Church for 85 years; a Mason; and a Shriner. He was on the board of directors of South Alabama Electric Co-op for 32 years and on the board of Power South in Andalusia for eight years.

During his many years, he never really left his farm. As a farmer and cattleman, he lived through hard times, the Great Depression and wars, as well as the good times with his family and the work that he loved dearly.

Many thanks go out to the nurses and staff at Crenshaw Community Hospital, Dr. S.P. Walker and Dr. Charles Tompkins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Luverne United Methodist Church and the Susanna Wesley Fellowship, both in care of the Luverne United Methodist Church, 88 East First Street, Luverne, AL 36049; or to Crenshaw Christian Academy, 608 Country Club Drive, Luverne, AL 36049.