Howard Dean “Hoe Handle” Williams, age 71, of Lamar, passed away Monday, July 26, 2010, at his home following a long illness.

     Howard was born November 21, 1938, in Lamar, to Claude and Trula Mae (Burkhart) Williams.  He graduated from Lamar High School in 1957.  A life-long Barton County resident, Howard had worked for O’Sullivan Industries and was a bulk feed truck driver for MFA and Rice’s Feed Service for many years.  He was a member of Lamar church of Christ.

     On March 27, 1960, Howard married Rita Kay Buck and they had celebrated 37 years together before her death May 24, 1997.  He was also preceded in death by his father, Claude Williams; mother and step-father, Trula and Oral Storm; a brother, Jim Williams; and a son, Rick Williams.

     Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Rob & Brenda Williams, Lamar; a daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Jay Nelson, Lamar; a daughter-in-law, Carol Williams, Lawrence, Kansas: nine grandchildren, Emily, Rachel & Ellen Williams, Sage, Gabriel, & Chloe Nelson, Amanda, Ryan & Riley Williams; two great-grandchildren, Jazmine Nelson and Miaha Williams.

     A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Lamar church of Christ with Ken Hicks officiating.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

     Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar church of Christ in care of Daniel Funeral Home.