E.E. "Gene" Williams, 88 of Mendota, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa.

A private family and friend Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with burial at Restland Cemetery, Mendota and military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Gene was born July 2, 1934 in Washington, Iowa to Keith and Ruth (Adkins) Williams, Sr.

He graduated from Washington High School where he lettered as a varsity captain of the football and basketball teams. He married his high school sweetheart, Eva Blattner on March 14, 1954. She passed away on May 1, 1994. Gene graduated college  at the University of South Dakota with a business degree and a minor in economics. He had many accomplished Administrative positions during his life: U.S. Public Health in Aberdeen, South Dakota - U.S. Public Health at Belcourt, North Dakota Indian Reservation - Combined Arms in Levenworth, Kansas - Excelsior Spring Hospital in Missouri - Johnson County Hospital in Warrenburg, Missouri - Mendota Community Hospital where he retired from after 33 years - Mendota Community Hospital Board of Directors - member of  American College Hospital Administrators - member of Mendota Rotary Club - served on Mendota School Board and served in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957 as a Tech/Sergeant. Gene was stationed at Thule, Greenland and at St. John's Newfoundland, Canada among others in the United States.

Gene was married to Connie Yenerich on January 24, 1998 and spent 25 years together. They continued his lifelong wanderlust and traveled to all 50 states and 7 provinces. Later they were "snowbirds" for 3 months each year in Biloxi, Mississippi. They enjoyed walking on the beach, going to casinos watching Western movies and most of all being with family and friends. Gene always took time to enjoy and never missed any of his children's athletic and competitive events. Gene will truly be missed and loved by all who knew him. We feel God has blessed us to have had such an amazing and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was such a gentle Christian man.

Gene is survived by his wife Connie of Mendota; his children Tim (Karen) Williams, Tony Williams, Tom (Kristin) Williams, Tyler (Missy) Williams; son in law Gary Walzer; his stepson Mark Swope; grandchildren Christopher (Creigh), Jessica, Carter, Dani (Danny) Rodriguez, Jacob, Eva Jo (Ryan) Newcomb, Ryan (Jordan), Andrew, Addison, Emily (Justin) Kelly, Colton, Shaelyn and Alliah; step grandchildren Jacob and Kevin Swope; great grandchildren Bennett, Cullen, Brenna Rae, Alexis, Scarlett, Chancellor, Chelsi and Ryder and sister Pat (Brad) Goff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Keith Williams, Jr., and David Williams, his first wife and mother of his children Eva Wiliams, daughter Traci (Williams) Walzer and granddaughter Brenna Christman.

Memorials may be directed to the family to purchase a bench in memory of Gene at Mendota Lake.