“Jerry” Jerome Roger Williams
Jerry R. Williams (1943-
2019) passed away, December
17, 2019, after a courageous bout with cancer. Many knew him as Jerry, J.R., Big Jerry,
Senior, Pops, and Popsie. He was convinced that he could beat cancer because “He and
God had it all figured out.” To the very end, Jerry proclaimed
“Whether I stay here with you or go home to be with God - I
Win”!
Jerry was born on January 3,
1943, the oldest of two sons, to Jack B. Williams and Elizabeth Ann Williams of Tonkawa,
Oklahoma. He attended Tonkawa Schools and graduated in
1961 with honors. His athletic achievements brought him football scholarships, and he earned a B.S. in History at Panhandle A&M in 1965. While attending the university, he met the love of his life and married
Gayaleen Crismon on July 30,
1965. They moved to Tulsa and began his career in insurance sales, financial planning, and estate planning. They raised three children Jerry Bryant, Jeffry Michael, and Kristin Kay.
Jerry loved to drive across the U.S.A. under the CB handle/ name “Tulsa Traveler.” Jerry, together with Gayaleen, created special memories together each day and made a point to take the family across the country to every state teaching history and life lessons along the way. He raised his family with a great love for the University of Oklahoma football and always looked forward to attending sporting events and cheering for the Sooners, OKC Thunder, and any team or activity the kids and grandchildren were a part of.
His children have all gone on to successful careers of their own. After retirement, Jerry rejoined the workforce as a board member of Worldwide Tech Connections, where he developed the tax structure and is best known for always finding time to comfort, advise, and guide anyone, always focused on sharing his eternal hope, wisdom, prayers, and values that he learned on his journey with od.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents, and niece Shay Williams.
He is survived by his wife Gayaleen; son Jerry and daughter-in-law Lisa; son Jeffry and daughter-in-law Jenny; daughter Kristin and son-in-law Brian; brother J. Michael and sister-in-law Carol; his seven grandkids Maya, Matthew, Kaitlyn, Marissa, Gabe, Nicholas, and Jack; nephew John Scott; and nieces Brooke and Jamie.
The funeral service will be held on December 26th at 10:00 AM at New Heart Church located at 10675 S. 193rd E. Ave., Broken Arrow, Ok 74104 with interment at the Round Grove Cemetery at a later date.