(veteran)

Burt Williams Former Blair Man Died At 59

Burt Williams, 59, owner of the Du Quoin Wholesale Co. died unexpectedly at 6:26 p.m. Thursday night at his 304 Winters Avenue home. He had just finished mowing the yard and was doing some trimming with a hand mower when he slumped to the ground, a victim of a massive heart.

Williams took his seat on the Du Quoin City Council on May 2, 1977, and prior to that served as secretary of the police and fire merit board.

Mr. Willliams was born in Blair, Nebraska, December 11, 1919, son of Burt and Inez (Scheffler) Williams. His parents survive and reside in Blair. On June 18, 1941 in Blair, he married the former Qwen Smith who also survives.

An Air Force veteran of World War II, Mr. Williams was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, Du Quoin Elks Lodge 884 and past exalted ruler, American Legion, VFW Post 513, Masonic Lodge 234, Perry County Shrine Club, Shrine of East St. Louis and the Community Rod and Gun Club. A member of the Du Quoin City Council at the time of his death, he was owner and operator of Du Quoi Wholesale.

Besides his parents and widow, other survivors are two sons, Jerry Williams of Du Quoin, and Jeffrey Williams with the United States Air Force in Germany; a daughter, Mrs. Lonnie (Patricia) James of Du Quoin; a brother, James Williams of Ralston, Nebraska, a sister, Lois Johnson of California; and seven grandchildren.