Eugene "Gene" Williams

Eugene "Gene" Williams, age 87 of Hastings, died peacefully at Regions Hospital in St. Paul on Thursday afternoon, May 30, 2024.

Norman Eugene, the son of Norman G. and Mable (Hahn) Williams, was born on October 26, 1936, in Bottineau, North Dakota. Following his graduation, Gene moved to the Inver Grove Heights area where he become a meat cutter with Swift & Co in South St. Paul. Over the years, he was also a longtime carpenter, well driller with his brother's-in-law, and later found a career in non-destructive testing in his fifties. On October 18, 1958, Gene was united in marriage to Ann Marie Maher in Mason City, Iowa. They were blessed with many memories prior to her passing on January 19, 2017. Gene served his country in the United States Army and was later granted an Honorable Discharge. He was a talented picker and truly loved antiquing any chance he could go. Gene also enjoyed deer hunting, riding his Harley, and spending time with family and friends. Gene was a self-published author of "I Remember The Great Depression, Been There! Did That!" which covered his life from over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann Marie; nephew, Joe Gahler, John Gahler, and Jesse Williams; niece, Missy Maher; brothers-in-law, Thomas Maher, Terry Maher, and Milton Millerbernd; and by his sisters-in-law, Shelia Gahler and Mary Ann Williams.

Gene is survived by his four children,Thomas Williams, Lori (Rich) Freiermuth, Terence Williams, and Victoria (Paul) Heschke; grandchildren, Justin, Ian, Amy (Sam), Faron, and Dyson; great grandchildren, Myles, Mason, Deacon, Aubrey, and Opal; siblings, Marvin Williams, Les Williams, Darlene Millerbernd, LaMae Maher, Keith (Kathy) Williams, Kevin (Bonnie) Williams, and Todd (Jolie) Williams; brother-in-law, Mike Gahler; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Maher and Judy Kaase; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, with Paris Pasch officiating. Interment with Military Honors provided by Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210 will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery in Hastings.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and to a reception following the burial, all at the funeral home on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, Gene's family requests memorials in his memory.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.