Eldridge ‘AL’ Williams

 Eldridge “AL” Williams, 86, of Cobden, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at his home. 

He was born on June 22, 1935, in Holcomb, Mo., the son of R.D. and Beatrice “Cledis” Crowell Williams. 

He married Gloria Glasco Cox on July 1, 1984, in Marion.    

He is survived by his  wife, Gloria Williams of Cobden; children Lanakae Glasco of Pulaski, Brenda Hampton of Anna, Debora (Terry) Wenger of Anna, Kathy (Dwight) Lipford of Paducah, David (Charity) Williams of Cobden, Jonathan (Amber) Williams of Jonesboro and Kenny (Melissa) Reese of Carterville, and by marriage he gained three more children, Tina (Billy) Zdankiewicz of Cobden, Candice (Mike) Cooper of Camby, Ind., and G. Spencer (Stephanie) Cox of Cobden; 20 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ricky R.D. Williams; grandsons Eric Yancey and Joshua Williams; brothers Benny and Denny Williams; and a sister, Coma Reese.             

He was a member of the Water Valley Church near Cobden for many years. He was a master mechanic, scoutmaster and honorably served as a Guardsman for his country in the National  Guard. 

He owned and operated the Shawnee Motel and Restaurant in Jonesboro, as well as numerous other businesses over the years.          

Aside from these accomplishments, he would have considered his greatest accomplishment to be his many years of service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He pastored at many churches over the years and retired from the Community of Faith Church in Carterville in 2007 after 11 years of faithful service.          

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at United Missionary Baptist Church in Lick Creek, with Pastor David Williams officiating. 

Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna. 

Friends can call after 11 a.m. and until the service hour at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at the church. 

Memorials are preferred to the family to assist with expenses or the Water Valley Country Church. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.