Gene Stewart Williams, Sr., 85, of North Platte, NE died Thursday, July 5, 2012, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.
Gene was born July 29, 1926, to John Otis and Lillian Stewart Williams at Meridian, MS. He grew up and attended school in Lumberton, MS. Immediately after graduating high school, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 12, 1944. He was discharged on June 6, 1946 and returned to Starkville, MS where he attended Mississippi State University and received a B.S. in Business. Gene then went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation in New Orleans, LA.
On October 28, 1953, Gene married Veda Faye Gorman. They moved to New Orleans and later moved to other southeastern states. He later resigned and went into the truck stop business in Brownsville, TN. In March 1972, they moved to North Platte and opened Williams Husky Truck Stop in Hershey, NE which they operated for 10 years. In 1976, they also opened the White Horse Pipe and Tobacco Shop in the White Horse Bar in the Pawnee Hotel. In 1978 he added Video Rental which was the first video rental in North Platte then moved this business into the old Montgomery Ward Building. In 1987 the business expanded and moved to south Dewey where the shop remained until he retired in 2000.
Gene was a member of the First Baptist Church. He liked to work in his yard and fish, especially in Canada. He also enjoyed Bronco football. Gene loved his family and liked traveling with them.
Gene is survived by his daughter, Patricia ‘Patti’ (Michael) McVay, of North Platte and her children, Joshua (Kay) Schwartzkopf, of Mason City, IA and LeeAnn (Carlos) Streit, of North Platte; his daughter-in-law, Jackie Williams, and her children, Taylor Williams and Charles Williams, all of Smithville, MO; two great-grandchildren, Brooke Holley and Alexis Streit; two sisters-in-law, Ostella (Raymond) Hudson, of Atlanta, TX and Allie Drue Gorman, of Hermitage, AR; three nieces, Glenda Faye Bowlin, Sheila McVay and Gina Hudson; and other family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Faye; his son, Gene Stewart Williams, Jr.; his parents, John and Lillian Williams; and his sister, Patricia Ann Williams.
Graveside funeral service with military honors will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2012, in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Visitation will be 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com and memorials are suggested to Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.