March 8, 1928 –  January 22, 2015  Virgil Dean Williams, 86, of Gainesville went to his heavenly home, Thursday January 22, 2014 after a short stay at Texas Health Presbyterian in Dallas. Virgil was born as a twin to parents, Jesse Frank and Vena (Lowe) Williams on March 8, 1928 in Rubottom, Oklahoma. At the age of 12, he took over the family farm after his father died of tuberculosis. He attended Rubottom schools. Virgil joined the Army and served as a medical tech in the Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged when his enlistment ended in 1947. Virgil married and had 6 children. They moved to Gainesville in 1955. He was a skilled heavy equipment operator and had a career with Buck Ballew Trucking as a truck driver and worked for Robert McElreath for many years as a bulldozer operator. He retired as an employee from Cooke County Precinct 3.After his first marriage ended, he fell in love and married Ruth Willis in 1978. They were married 36 years, enjoying traveling, gardening and walking together. He attended Temple Baptist Church with Ruth where Virgil enjoyed being an usher. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. Virgil was well respected in the community and very fond of his large family with many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include children, Keith and Sharon Williams of Gainesville, Gary and Patty Williams of Ft. Worth, Bryan and Jamie Williams of Decatur, Johnny and Susie Williams of Gainesville; Kenny and Shirley Laux, Frank and Linda Westbury, Stan and Sharlene Willis and Terry “Bubba” and Cindy Willis all of Gainesville; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; and twin sister Geraldine Bone. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Williams in 2014, son Ricky Williams, daughter Sue Williams; grandsons Forest Willis and Paul Ritchie; great-granddaughter Kathleen Arendt; parents and 6 siblings.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24th at Temple Baptist Church with Dr. Eddie Chennault officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Joe Newsome will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Interment will follow in Rubottom Cemetery, Love County, Oklahoma. Visitation will be at Meador Funeral Home in Gainesville Friday evening 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to North Texas Medical Center Foundation.
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