Kenneth Leroy Williams, 87, of Springfield, Missouri, peacefully passed away on July 8, 2026, after a courageous thirteen-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ken was born on July 6, 1939, to Herbert and Etta Williams. As the youngest boy of ten children, he developed a quick wit, spent countless days on the ballfield, and cherished the loving care of his mother.

Ken was a member of the first graduating class of Parkview High School in 1957, where he played on the school’s state finalist basketball team. His artwork was selected for the yearbook cover. Ken attended Southwest Baptist University and Southwest Missouri State University, where he completed his degree in education.

Ken met Marie Fischer at a church gathering in 1961. They were married on March 3, 1962, and together built a beautiful life, raising two children, Brad and Jana, while sharing sixty-four wonderful years of marriage.

After considering playing professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds, Ken began his teaching and coaching career in Marshfield, Missouri. A few years later, he joined Springfield Public Schools, teaching at Hickory Hills Junior High while coaching football, basketball, and track. Following Hickory Hills, he spent eighteen years at Central High, where he coached men’s basketball and baseball while teaching history.  He especially loved teaching American military history, inspired by his family’s legacy of service dating back to the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War. He concluded his teaching career at Glendale High, leaving a lasting impact on countless students and athletes. Many of those students went on to pursue education careers, inspired by his example.

Ken and Marie created a lifetime of treasured memories with family and friends. They enjoyed vacations in Florida, golfing trips, softball tournaments, and gatherings at Table Rock Lake.

Ken was a longtime member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.  His faith was the foundation of his life. He shared the love of Christ with others and treasured the lifelong friendships he formed with family, church members, coworkers, former students and teammates.

Ken is survived by his wife, Marie; his son, Brad, and daughter-in-law, Dawna; his daughter, Jana Bonham, and son-in-law, Brent; grandchildren, Olivia Curry, David Bonham, Mason Williams, Audrey Bonham, Khrystian Hembree, Karleigh Higgins and Camden Landrum.  He is survived by seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Richard Fischer and partner, Mikee, and brother-in-law, Billy Fischer and wife, Karen.  He is also survived by extended family members and dear friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and all nine of his siblings.

Ken will be remembered for his unwavering faith, sense of humor, kindness, and joy for life. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched.