Edward Kenneth Williams, loving husband, father and grandfather, changed his earthly address to a heavenly address on June 1, 2018.  He is preceded in death by his parents, George Bundy Williams and Colon Edwards Williams of Marshville, 3 siblings, G.B. Williams, Joe Williams and Jamie Williams and the love of his life, Jean Williams Williams.  Kenneth is survived by his 3 children and their spouses, Beth Williams Oakes (Philip), Sally Ann Cavenaugh (Herb), Douglas Kenneth Williams (Holly) and 11 grandchildren, Caleb Oakes, Hannah Oakes, Cody Cavenaugh, Bradley Kenneth Cavenaugh, Kate Cavenaugh, Max Williams, Ben Williams, Ian Williams, Eli Williams, Haley Williams and Kinley Jean Williams.  Kenneth is also survived by his sisters: Mrs. Ellen Smith, Mrs. Marilyn Bost, and Mrs. Maureen Cook (Randy).

Funeral Services will be 4pm June the 8 ^th , 2018 at Lee Park Baptist Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the Fairfield Community Baptist Church Cemetery.

Kenneth was born in Marshville, NC.  He attended Marshville High School and, when he wasn't helping his father on the farm milking cows, plowing fields, picking cotton and assisting with rabbit-running beagle training, he was involved in 4H and the FFA club.  He even earned a little money driving the school bus at 16 years of age.  He graduated from Marshville High School with his diploma and the heart of a young lady by the name of Jean Williams.  Jean still had a year of high school to finish so Kenneth began working at Canon Mills sorting bolts of fabric and saving his pennies hoping she would marry him some day.  She said yes to his proposal and they were married in 1956.

Soon after their marriage, Kenneth began working for International Harvester in Charlotte. It wasn't long before his country called him to serve in the Army.  From 1958-1960, he served at Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Fort Benning, GA and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Ken's Army discharge paperwork states that Corporal Williams was 6' tall and weighed a whopping 128 lbs.  After his duty, he reentered the work force with International Harvester and began to work his way up the corporate ladder.  Growing up on a farm had taught him the value of hard work, integrity and perseverance.  Those values caught the eye of his employer and he was quickly promoted to Financing Auditor with the company.  This new position required him to willingly transfer around the country.  By this time, Ken and Jean had 3 young children, Beth, Sally and Doug.  The country boy from Marshville was concerned about moving away from Charlotte but his loving wife Jean assured him that as long as they had each other, they could live anywhere.  During his career, Ken was transferred to Albany, NY, Memphis, TN and Naperville, IL.

After 40 years with International Harvester, Ken decided it was time to retire and move back to his roots in Marshville. While "dabbling" in real estate with Century 21, Ken and Jean built a house on his old home place, purchased some cows, a few horses and some chickens.  A new adventure was about to begin with Jean by his side.  Together they made the perfect couple; Ken entertaining visitors with horse-drawn buggy rides and Jean offering refreshments.  Of course, the grandchildren were some of their favorite guests.  Ken must have walked 1000 miles giving his grandchildren horse rides in the round pen.  He would encourage them to stick their little hands in the chicken house and gather the eggs.  He dug worms and baited fishing hooks by the family pond.  He rode the fields with them on his four wheeler.  He slipped them slices of cake right before dinner time and offered them one of his favorite treats, bottled coke with peanuts in it.

He has been a guiding light to his family and friends: a rock, an encourager, a friend and a consistent keeper of their hearts.  He will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on in the lives of his family and friends.

Online condolences may be made at www.morganandsonfuneralhome.com

Morgan & Son Inc. of Marshville is in charge of arrangements.