COUNCIL #1728 - ST. JAMES REMEMBERS
MARVIN C WILLIAMS

 

Marvin C. Williams, 80, of Kearney, died June 19, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society St. Luke’s in Kearney. Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., June 22, 2018, with Fr. Joseph Hannappel officiating. Private family burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., June 21, 2018 at St. James Catholic Church followed by a Wake service at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the UN Foundation Marvin C. Williams Family Biology Fellowship & Scholarship Fund or St. James Catholic Church.

He was born on November 26, 1937 to Carl G. & Helen L. (Harrison) Williams in Wellington, Kansas. He grew up in Neponset, Illinois, graduating from Neponset High School in 1955.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1959 & began his teaching career in Tiskilwa, IL. On June 13, 1959 he married Lila Junis in Kewanee, Illinois.

Marvin went on to receive his master's degree in Botany from Western Illinois University in 1966.

The start of his 34 year teaching career as a biology professor began at Kearney State College in Kearney, Nebraska in 1966--with a two-year hiatus at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, to finish his PhD.

He was a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association, Sigma XI, the Mycological Society of America, & the Association of Midwest College Biology Teachers. Marvin was an active member of St. James Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Elks Club.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lila Williams; son, Randy Williams; daughters, Cindy Laue and husband Mike, Nancy Boyle and husband Todd; grandchildren, Ryan Laue and wife Joyce, Kent Laue, Justin Williams, Aaron Williams, Stacy Laue, Marissa Boyle, and Elise Boyle; great grandchildren, Zoey, Zachary, and Zola Laue; brother, Paul Williams; nephew, Eric Peterson; great nephew, Evan Peterson; and several cousins.

Marvin was preceded in death by his sister, Marlene Bell.