Jerry Williams, 78

Jerry Williams, 78, of Iowa Falls, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021 at his home, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Memorial mass will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time on Saturday at the church. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the family to be designated to the Lighthouse Center of Hope in Iowa Falls. Woodley Funeral Home, LLC of Iowa Falls is caring for Jerry and his family.

Jerry Russell Williams was born on February 10, 1942 to Russell and Thelma Williams in Hampton, Iowa. Jerry was the oldest of three sons and always lived and farmed the land that he grew up on. He was a father of four children, husband for fifty-six years to wife Patty, a grandfather and great-grand father.   

Jerry’s passion in life was gardening. He always enjoyed having his hands in the dirt and seeing things grow. When Jerry did things, he did them in a “Big Way”.  It was like this with everything he did whether gardening or collecting ornaments or collecting toys. Everything was magnified. Anyone who bought his tomatoes or sweet corn could attest to this. He instilled the value of hard work and integrity to his children. His Christian upbringing was very important to him and the family never missed mass on Sundays unless they were sick. The values he was raised with were apparent to others in need. Mom and dad were constantly taking people into their home. Many stranded motorists, many young adults needing a leg up – even a young lady from Africa who needed a place to live while she had her baby and was attending nursing school. They opened up their home to Rebecca from Germany through the foreign exchange program. Rebecca remains a huge part of the entire family. Foster care was a part of their life for five years and lead to the adoption of their son, D.J. Their girls were all raised and gone off to college and they were starting over with a five year old.

Despite his three-year battle with esophageal cancer, Jerry always had a smile or a wise crack to make you laugh. His sense of humor was still with us until the very end. Everyone he met was blessed to know him.

Jerry Williams is survived by his wife, Pat Williams of Iowa Falls, Iowa; his children, Tammy (Chris) Cooper of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Tracy Dennis of Plano, Texas, Tarra (Todd) Richard of Urbandale, Iowa and D.J (Catherine) Williams of Iowa Falls, Iowa; grandchildren: Catie (Josh) Bernal, Erin (Jeremy) Andersen, Maggie and Samantha Cooper, Sydney, Cameron and Paige Richard, Kyler, Valerie and Kael Williams; great-granddaughter, Ariana Andersen; brother, David (Pam) Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Steven Williams.