Avard "Joe" Williams , age 81, of Festus, Missouri, formerly of Herculaneum, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis County, Missouri. He was born October 14, 1936 in Herculaneum, the son of the late Eloise Anna (nee Easter) and Leroy S. Williams, Sr.
   He is survived by his wife Virginia "Jenny"� (nee Becker) Williams; son Avard "Joey"� (Donna) Williams, Jr. of House Springs, Missouri; daughters Paula Denise Williams of Festus, Debbra Kay (Sam) Lalumandier of McKinney, Texas, and Karen Lynn (John) Elvert of Festus; sister Bernice (the late Joe) Marcina of Detroit, Michigan; brother Harold (Debbie) Williams of Piedmont, Missouri; grandchildren Nicholas Williams, Zachary (Jenny) Williams, Samantha Williams, Christina (Brad) Gravagna, Amie (Brad) Wooten, Melisa (Devon) Self, Sara (Cody) Fleming, Briley Thompson, Kristie (Keith Penson) Waddell, Joshua (Jodi) Kent, Steven Lalumandier II, Andrew (Halie) Lalumandier, Cory Lalumandier, Abigail (Tim Doty) Lalumandier, Hannah Elvert, and Logan Evert; and numerous great-grandchildren.
   In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a son Daniel Wayne Thompson; sisters Ruth (the late Thomas) Huddleston, Norma (the late Bill) Evans and Wilma Williams; and brothers Donald (Linda survives) Williams, and Leroy S. (Marian survives, of Texas) Williams.
   He was a U.S. Navy Veteran; had worked at PPG Industries in Crystal City, Missouri, Doe Run Lead Co. in Herculaneum, and Union Pacific Railroad; was a member of First Baptist Church of Herculaneum/Pevely, and the Herculaneum and Crystal City Masonic Lodges.
   Visitation 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus. Funeral services 1:00 P.M. Friday, June 15, 2018 at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Jeff Purvis of First Baptist Church of Herculaneum/Pevely. Interment with full military honors in Herculaneum City Cemetery. Memorials in his memory are preferred to St. Jude Children's Hospital.