John Williams

John D. Williams, 74 of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed away, Thursday at St. Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 15, 2010 at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church 4725 Northeast Lakewood Way Lees Summit, MO 64064. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday evening at the Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th Street Independence, MO 64055. Donations may be made to The Shrine Hospital for Children 5100 Ararat Drive Kansas City, MO 64129 or to KC Metro Missouri Special Olympics 9001 W. 67th Street Merriam, KS 66202. John was born January 25, 1936 in St. Louis, MO to John W. and Dorothy Ferne (Waters) Williams. He graduated from Oak Grove High School, received his B.A. in Chemistry from Central Methodist College and his B.S. in Pharmacy from UMKC. He also studied music at University of Michigan, where he was a member of the marching band. He owned and operated Williams Drugs in Independence for a number of years before he sold the business and worked for other pharmacies in the area. He enjoyed jazz and classical music and was an accomplished trumpet player who played in several local groups, including the Raytown and Independence community bands, and the Woods Chapel UMC Orchestra. He belonged to the Independence Rotary Club for many years, was an avid sports fan, and a Red Coater for the Chiefs. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, MO and had been attending Woods Chapel United Methodist Church. He was active in Republican politics and was a delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention. He was a member of the Ararat Shrine Club, The Royal Order of Jesters and had many loving friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Sharon (Stanley) of the home; 6 children, Kristin Williams (Jason Poteet) of Sanger, TX, Jennifer Hamrick (Jeffrey) of Double Oak, TX, Melissa Berger (David) of Flower Mound, TX, John S. Williams of Riverside, MO, Robert Williams of the home and Sarah Williams of Prairie Village, KS; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wayne and Sheryl Stanley of Topeka, KS and six grandchildren, Ryan and Travis Hundley, Connor and Drew Hamrick, Lily and Duncan Berger.