Gene Paul Williams of Whitesboro, Texas, passed away peacefully while sleeping Tuesday, June 27, 2023.  He was born April 15, 1941, to Wayde Hampton Williams and Dorothy Louise Foster Williams in Dexter, Cooke County, Texas.

Gene attended the Dexter School for two years before it closed, and because of this he was transferred to Whitesboro ISD. He graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1959.  In September, he enrolled at Eastern Oklahoma A&M College in Wilburton, Oklahoma.  During his second year, he was elected President of the Student Senate.  Later, at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, he became a member of the Phi Lamba Chi Fraternity, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and minors in Accounting and Psychology. Gene was an avid reader of periodicals and newspapers, and a strong believer of higher education.

Gene and Janis Rue Perkins Williams were married July 1, 1965. Had Gene lived three more days, they would have been married for 58 years.

On June 26, 1969, Gene was critically injured in a military jeep accident at Ft. Hood.  He was transferred to Ft. Sam Houston where he was hospitalized for exactly nine months.  He was released from the hospital on February 26, 1970.  During this time, we lost count of the number of surgeries he had. There were many more surgeries after the nine months.

Gene was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Whitesboro.  He was the Sunday School Superintendent for more than forty years, a member of the Methodist Men, and participated on several District Methodist committees for many years.

He took pride in his community.  He helped develop the Planning and Zoning committee in Whitesboro, where he served as president for over two decades.  He also was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, and Lions Club.  Additionally, he has been a member of the American Legion for more than fifty years.  Gene had a passion for politics. He served as election judge and precinct chairman for many years. Gene registered many voters in the area of Whitesboro.

Gene loved to play 42 and dominoes with his friends and loved the Dallas Cowboys. He visited the local nursing home almost every day for many years. His charisma and positive outlook on life made him a stranger to no one. ANYWHERE he went, there was always someone who he knew or someone that knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife, Janis, son Bradley Lance Williams of Whitesboro, daughter Paula Jean Williams of Whitesboro, and granddaughters Justine Nicole Booher of Sherman and Makayla Brooke Williams of Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wayde and Louise Williams, and brother Jerry Don "J.D." Williams.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.