Michael L. Williams

Michael L. Williams, 63, of Olmsted, and formerly of Cairo, died at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion with his family by his side.

He was born on July 3, 1946, in Cairo, the son of Ralph “Tim” and Nellie Dean Williams.

He worked for over 20 years for the Illinois Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. Most of those years were spent at Menard in Chester. The last few years were spent working at the Shawnee Correctional Center in Vienna and the Tamms Work Camp and the Supermax Prison in Tamms.

He was a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the 4th Battalion, 42nd Artillery.

He worked for many years as the night watchman for the Pulaski County Fair where he made many friends.

He is survived by his three children, Becky (Billy) Anderson of Ullin, Michelle (J.T.) Lang of Olmsted and Tim Williams of Pulaski; four grandchildren, Elizabeth, James, Michael and Chloe; three siblings, Donald E. Williams of San Diego, Calif., Larry (Sherry) Kester of Romney, W. Va., and Kathy (Bill) Walsh of Cape Girardeau; cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Rose; and one brother, Jimmy Dean Williams.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 29, at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge with the Rev. Scott Kelley officiating.

Interment followed in the Mound City National Cemetery with full military honors given by the Illinois National Guard honors detail and area veterans.

Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge was in charge of arrangements.