Ben R. Williams

Ben R. Williams, 93, passed away on February 18, 2022.  He was born on June 4, 1928 in Gorham, Kansas to BenjaminWilliams and Hazel Ann Leach Williams.  Ben was one of four siblings (Mary Ann, Daisey, and Ray).

Ben attended Manual High School and began working at the Forum Cafeteria at a young age. The Forum Cafeteria is where he met lifelong friends (Joyce and Jackie Evans) and of course, the love of his life, Louise Horn, whom he married in 1949.

In 1951, Ben enlisted to serve in the Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.  During these years Ben and Louise welcomed their only daughter,Denise Lou (Williams) Cooper.

After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, Ben and Louise traveled back to Kansas City, MO.  Ben returned to Forum Cafeteria and was promoted to management. In 1957, Ben and Louise picked out a lot in Claycomo, MO and Ben along with friends and family began building their forever home.

Ben’s second career was in sales for Manor Bakery and in 1985 he retired to be a full time Grandpa to  Brian and Aaron.  His most treasured memories were taking “the boys” to the lake, playing golf, boat rides, and fishing.

Ben was an avid golfer and won several golf tournaments. He loved all sports and would tell stories about being at the 1946 Boston-Cardinals World Series game where he saw the famous Enos Slaughter score from first base.  In 1948 he attended the University of Missouri football game where the Tigers beat undefeated SMU!

Deer Valley Park at Lake of the Ozarks was a large part of Ben and Louise’s life together and where many world problems were solved around the nightly campfire. Retirement winters were spent traveling to the warmer Southern and West Coast climates.

Ben is survived by his daughter Denise Lou (Chris) and grandson (Aaron Benjamin).  He was preceded in death by his wife Louise and grandson Brian Christopher.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 27 at 2:00pm at Trezo Mare Restaurant, Briarcliff West Shops, 4105 N. Mulberry Drive, Kansas City, MO  64116.

In honor of Ben’s military service please make memorial contributions in Ben’s name to Disabled American Veterans at http://www.dav.org or Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH  45250-0301

Condolences

  1. Forrest and Norma Couch on February 21, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    So sorry for another lost of your love ones. Remember the good times. Prayers to you and your family.



  2. Sandie on February 22, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. I cannot think of your dad without there being a memory of laughing! Keeping you all in my thoughts.



  3. Anita Marx on February 26, 2022 at 7:05 am

    Hard to believe we are now saying goodbye to Ben. Never a sweeter or more caring man. Ben and Louise were special people. The perfect little family. So many laughs and fond memories. RIP dear Ben. Love, Anita



  4. Rose Lamberti on February 26, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    Ben, RIP knowing you are loved. Christopher and I will always miss you and Louise at the lake.
    will always miss those beautiful days sitting outside your camper, you and Chris talking politics and Louise and I talking about our kids, and our animals which were our family. We had a lot of special times to remember there. When we went to the lake first thing Chris would ask was “are Ben and Louise there”. You both will be so missed and as you take your place in Heaven remember you are both loved so much.



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