Gerald Gordon Williams

Gerald Gordon Williams passed into his eternal rest on December 16, 2021.  He was 95 years of age, and a nearly lifelong resident of Aztec, New Mexico.  Gerald was born on November 22, 1926 in Prescott, Arizona to Harvey Andrew Williams and Edna Elizabeth Cantwell Williams.  Gerald proudly served in the U.S Navy during World War II.

On Gerald’s release from the service, he returned to Aztec, NM by bus.  When he got off the bus, he walked across the street to the B & M store to buy a bottle of pop.  He saw Alta Jane Parker working in the establishment and took an immediate fancy to her.  They wed in July 1947.  Michael Andrew Williams, a Bloomfield resident, Linda Jane Williams and John Patrick Williams, both Aztec residents are their children.

Gerald really had only two employers during his long working career.  He worked for Jim Dusenbery for many years in most of Jim’s enterprises and shared a love of all things Studebaker with all the Dusenbery’s.  He would drive nothing else until the cars went out of production.  Then, Gerald went to work for Tom Dugan Productions where he worked as a Switcher until his retirement.  He drove over a million miles on the back roads of the gas patch, and had many stories to tell of trying to get to wellheads on muddy, icy, snow packed dirt roads in unforgiving winter conditions.  He killed dozens of rattlesnakes hiding in and around the compressors and always chopped off their rattles and saved them.

Gerald loved hunting and fishing in his earlier years, and was an avid golfer and bowler.  He tolerated Alta Jane’s enthusiastic flower gardening and planted whatever she wanted wherever she wanted it.  Together they cultivated a large vegetable garden.  He was a member of the VFW and served as a volunteer fireman for many years.   He was a staunch Republican while Alta Jane worked for the Democratic Party.  After retirement, Gerald and Alta traveled often and widely while touring America and Canada.  He loved country music from Hank Williams forward.  He loved his kids, his grandkids and great grandkids, but most of all he loved Alta Jane, his wife (and her dog, Jill.) Gerald had a difficult start in life, but he worked very hard, was generous to a fault and one of the kindest people you would ever know.  He will be greatly missed and deeply mourned.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Alta Jane Williams, his parents, Harvey and Edna Williams, his sister Audra Barneyback Burkhard, and half-sister Sherri Sue Scott and grandparents on both sides.  He is survived by his sons Michael A. Williams (Gloria) and John Patrick Williams (Carol Jones), his daughter, Linda Jane Williams, and a very special niece, Gerry Recker.  In addition, Gerald leaves behind his grandchildren: Dianne Heddin (Brent), Rebecca Slocum (Gary), Stephanie Baugh (Chris), Tami Legarda, Tanya Renteria, Brandon Lawson (April); his great grandchildren Brennen Heddin (Areli), Bethanie Heddin; Emma, Lucas and Perry Slocum; Aria, Maverick and Peyton Baugh; Mathew and Lizzy Lawson and one great great grandson Heddin on the way.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 pm on December 23, 2021 at Cope Memorial Chapel, 405 S. Main Ave, Aztec, NM 87410.  Funeral services for Gerald Williams will immediately follow in the Cope Memorial Chapel.  Interment will follow at Aztec Cemetery, 700 Chamisa Community Church.  Services will be officiated by Pastor Brent Heddin of Desert Heights Community Church. Memorial donations may be made to Desert Heights Community Church, 1835 E. Main St., Farmington, NM 87401.

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