Edward Lafayette Williams Jr.

Edward Lafayette Williams Jr., 86, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Holiday Resort in Emporia.

E.L. was born January 22, 1938 in Shirley, Arkansas the son of Edward L. Williams Sr. and Helen Elebulus Bradford. He attended Madison High School and graduated with the Class of 1955. He later attended Hutchison Jr. College before transferring to Emporia State University.

E.L. was joined in marriage to Norma Lee Shimp on June 1, 1956 in Madison. They would make Madison their home for over 50 years. For thirty years, E.L. worked as an electrician and electrical inspector on pipelines. E.L. and Norma spent the later years of his career visiting various worksites throughout the Western United States in their RV. They would return to Kansas in 2015 and make their home in Emporia.

In 1968, E.L. opened an electric motor rewinding shop. Williams Electric would remain in the family for twenty years until being sold in 1988.

E.L. was a 65 year member of the Madison Masonic Lodge #196 A.F. & A.M. Norma and E.L. also attended and held membership at the Lamont Wesleyan Church.

E.L. will live on in the hearts and memories of his wife, Norma of their home in Emporia; a daughter, Julie Buster and her husband Max of Madison; three sons, Brad Williams and his wife Barbara of Madison, Jack Williams and his wife Kim of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Jeff Williams and his wife Diane of Madison; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and a community of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Geneva Williams and Janetta VanVielt and a brother, Buck Williams.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Lamont Wesleyan Church. Inurnment will follow at Number 8 Cemetery East of Madison. The family will receive friends Friday evening at the VanArsdale Funeral Home in Madison from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M.. Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Education Assistance Program and sent in care of the funeral home at P.O. Box #488, Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.