Shirley Delonis Williams

Shirley Delonis Williams, better known as Red or Shirl, was born April 30, 1935, to James Oscar Williams and Jennie Louis DeBoise Williams in Arkansas. He gained his wings on September 6th, 2025, at his home at 10:30 pm. He worked picking cotton at an early age and later worked at a garage/body shop and drove a car at age 12 to pick up parts. Red was an excellent pool player. He also enjoyed playing guitar at Hardee's in Pevely and Hillsboro with other musicians for the community to enjoy. He worked at Krey Meat Packing Corporation. Later, he became a Business Representative when the Butcher and Sausage Workers Local 545 merged with Local 655 in 1983. Before that time, he had been a 30-year member and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 545. With a sixth-grade education, he later obtained his GED as he led by example and proved that all things are possible! Shirl was passionate about wood carving and sold his canes and art at heritage days and fairs. There were always wood carvings with his fellow artist in the basement. He loved to travel and take "shortcuts". On October 20, 1956, he married Miss Ruth Ann Reeves, and to that union they had three sons. Jerry Charles, James Delonis, and John Carl Williams. John passed away at the tender age of 9, and Shirl did everything he could to take care of his wife, children, and show the community how to continue life after the tragic loss of a child. He was an example of how a man should live with honesty, kind heartedness, and love for his family. He was an excellent son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann (nee Reeves), son-Jerry Charles (Lea) Williams, Son-James Delonis (and deceased wife Linda), His sisters, Lavada, Dorothy, Linda, and Sue. His brothers, Charles and Dale. His grandchildren Jerry and wife Adrienne, Shane, Holly and husband Kevin, Josh and his wife Shylah, Jake and his wife Candace, James and his wife Laura. His great-grandchildren- Marley, Jerry III, Jack, Tristan, Tanner, Tucker, Tinley, Dorothy, Sawyer, Grady, Oscar, and Alexander James. Sister in laws: Judy Reeves, Ev Ortwein, and Jackie Thomas. He was preceded in death by: Son John Carl Williams, Father James Oscar Williams, Mother Jennie Louise (nee Deboise) Williams. His siblings- Estelle, Margie, Danny Ray, Elighah Lee, and John. Brother-in-Law Jerry Reeves and daughter-in-law Linda Williams. Visitation-Tues, September 16, 2025, from 10 am to 12 pm at Chapel Hills Mortuary, Robert Brown Chapel, 103 4th St, Hillsboro, Missouri, 63050. Funeral Service follows in the funeral home chapel. Internment-St. Anthony's Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Shirley Delonis Williams

April 30, 1935 - September 6, 2025