Harvey Williams

Harvey Williams, age 77, passed away on June 16, 2025, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri, surrounded by many loved ones.

Harvey was a very loving, caring, and funny man. He loved to crack jokes and keep people laughing. Harvey was a hardworking man from a very young age and always took care of his children. He loved them all, no matter what or how far away they were. One of the most joyful moments of his life was meeting his firstborn daughter, whom he had never met until a year ago. They bonded immediately, and she blended right in with the family as if she had always been there.

Though Harvey didn’t have much formal education, he knew how to work hard and provide for his family. He worked several years at Bruening’s Nursery in Higginsville, Missouri, digging and planting trees—an incredibly labor-intensive job. His friends affectionately called him the “Man with the Magic Shovel” because, during piecework jobs, he wasn’t leaving the field until he had dug over 100 trees a day—an amazing feat.

After working at the nursery, Harvey spent 15 years working at Tyson Foods in Concordia, Missouri, where he eventually retired.

Harvey had a very fun and interesting life. He was always helping others, visiting the sick, and lifting people’s spirits. Harvey loved all of his children and grandchildren dearly. He enjoyed making people laugh and seemed to leave an impression everywhere he went—nearly everyone who met him had a story to tell about their friendship.

Harvey loved God, and no matter what the day brought, he never went to sleep without saying his prayers. He had his own relationship with God and would always say, “God knows me and has always protected me.”

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Katherine Williams; brothers, Walter Williams (Sherrie), David Sanders, and Robert Williams (Pam); sisters, Leona Locke (Ronnie), Vanessa Haynes; and brother-in-law, Cecil Gilkey (Teri).

Left to cherish his life is his loving wife of 46 years, Kathleen Williams of the home; and his 10 children: Tanya (Manuel), of Jamaica of San Francisco, California; Aaron Marin (Rachel), of Denver, Colorado; Steven Pennington, of Texas; Wayne (Chantel) Thaxton, of Richmond, Missouri; Larry Thaxton, of Richmond, Missouri; Taneka (Jeremy) Cusick, of Kingsville, Missouri; Timothy Williams, of Blue Springs, Missouri; Shanna Thaxton, of Richmond, Missouri; Jennifer (Adam) Goldwood, of Springfield, Missouri; and Zachary Williams (Alyse), of Hazelwood, Missouri and step daughter Laura (Fred)Frazier of Holden,Missouri

He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including grandson Isaiah Williams, whom he helped raise for the past 10 years.

Harvey is remembered fondly by his lifelong friends Steve Wade, Mark Reed, and Veronica Thaxton; several nieces and nephews; and those for whom he was a father figure—Yvette, Laura, Chelle, and Garrett. His siblings include Minnie Elmore (Martin), Ernest Williams (Mary Claudette), Mary Williams, Ora Mae Williams, Arron Haynes, and Suzie May (Dale).