Kenneth “Deon” Williams, 78, of Richmond, died Saturday, March 6, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Deon was born at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, 1943, in Lexington, the son of Garland Ray Williams of Wellington and Leila Mae Lusk of Piqua, Ohio. He was raised by his grandparents, Leslie and Selma Williams.

Deon was reared and educated in Lexington and graduated in 1961 from Lexington High School. At age 10, Deon was baptized at the Baptist Church in Lexington. Deon was first married to Patty Allen of Richmond, and to this union, three sons were born. They later divorced.

In 1976, on his way to visit his grandmother at Shirkey’s, he stopped by the home of Doris Jeffries’ parents, where he met his future wife. Six months later, they were married on Oct. 9.

Deon was a union meat cutter for 21 years and belonged to the local union No. 576. After 21 years as a meat cutter, he built his own body shop. On Aug. 3, 1986, he opened Deon’s Body Shop in Henrietta, where it reamins in operation.

Deon was an active community member and belonged to the Ararat Shrine in Kansas City. He was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Shrine Club. He was a member of the Richmond Masonic Lodge No. 57 and the Camden Masonic Lodge No. 223. He also was a member of the Moose Lodge No. 1161 in Lexington and had served as governor.

Deon enjoyed hunting and fishing, which probably started with his best friend, Bobby Briggle, who lived next door. Together, they fished and enjoyed shooting rats behind the hospital in Lexington. They also enjoyed swimming in the woods on 17th Street in Lexington. The past few years, he enjoyed going to Truman Lake in his RV and fishing with all his family members there.

Survivors include: his wife, Doris, of 44 years; four sons, Scott Williams, Keith (Sharon) Williams, Kevin (Penny) Williams, all of Windsor, and Jeff (Nancy) Shanks of Ozan, Arkansas; one daughter, Stephanie (Steve) Minnick of Richmond; 17 grandchildren, Logan, Brook (Chad), Samantha, Johnathan, Austin (Emily), Mason, Kaitlin, Aaron (Amanda), Austin (Jordan), Shelby, Devyn, Tucker and Sean (also known as “The Whiz”); seven great-grandchildren, Avery, Taylee, Caine, Weston, Blakely, Wesley and Turner; two sisters-in-law, Sue Williams and Linda (Jim) Mullikin; and brother-in-law, James Jeffries.

Deon was preceded in death by his father, mother and a half-brother, Steve Williams.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Backpack Program. Memorial contributions can either be dropped by or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 East Main St.-P.O. Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

A traditional visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Inurnment will be at a later date by the family.

Please share your memories of Deon with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.