Joe Reasie Williams

MALDEN — Joe Reasie Williams, loving husband and father and a retired minister and farmer, died July 21, 2020, at his home in Malden, Missouri. He was 87.

Born on Jan. 12, 1933, he was the son of the late Wiley Jay and Drusa Dooley Williams. He was born, raised, and lived most of his life on the family farm northeast of Gideon. His mother often touted the fact that he was the 12th child of the family, was born on the 12th day of the month, 12th day of the year, and weighed 12 pounds when he was born.

Joe attended all 12 years of school in Gideon while working on the family farm. It was in school that he met the red-haired love of his life, Patty Lou Patten. Joe graduated from high school in 1950 and continued farming with his father. He and Patty were married on Oct. 20, 1951 and soon afterwards they bought their first 50 acres of farmland. In 1953, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was fortunate to be stationed in Germany. Soon after he returned home in 1955, he bought out his father and started farming for himself. Through the years he acquired more land west of Malden and became a well-respected farmer and businessman in the area.

In the mid-1960’s he started a land grading service with Earl “Donnie” Dell and continued that service for several years. He retired from farming in 1998.

One of the most significant events in Joe’s life was when he was called to preach. His first sermon was on March 24, 1968, at Mt. Zion “Jericho” General Baptist Church (his home church). Later that year, he began pastoring the Second General Baptist Church in Malden. Other General Baptist churches that he pastored include: Taylor Church (Essex), White Oak Grove (Bernie), Mt. Gilead (Malden), Mt. Zion “Jericho” (Malden/Gideon/Risco area), Beechwell (Campbell), Vinson (Bernie), Sunnyvale (Malden), Pleasant View (Risco), and Parma Church. Although he took all of his pastoral duties seriously, his real passion was witnessing to those who had not professed faith in Christ and leading them to salvation. To this end he served as an evangelist at scores of revivals.

For every success that he had, whether personal, professional, or in the ministry, Joe gave credit to the support of his wife Patty. He instilled in his children the importance of being fair and honest, pursuing their education, working hard, championing the underdog, helping the less fortunate, and most importantly, living to honor God.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by all 11 of his brothers and sisters: Beacher Williams, Alka Lawrence, Paul Williams, Mona Hodge, Iva Barfoot Lawrence, Anna Lee Hamlett, Jay Dee Williams, Goldie Arant, Calvin Williams, Alice Powell, and L.C. Williams.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patty Williams; son Joe Williams, Jr.; daughter Shelley Johnson; son Andy Williams and daughter-in-law Leigh; grandson Max Johnson; great-grandson Kai Johnson; special family friends Ken Morrow and Michael Karlyle; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

The family wishes to acknowledge Georgie Brown, who worked side by side with Joe through decades of farming, as well as Carla Champagne, Brenda Houart, Denise Callaway, Lisa Reeves, and Susie Cortez, who professionally and lovingly provided home health care during the last two years of his life.

Two of Joe’s nephews, Rev. James Hamlett and Rev. Mark Powell, will conduct a private funeral service on Friday, July 24. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be a public visitation.

Interment will be at Rosewood Cemetery in Malden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or mail to Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.

Bradshaw Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, and a video memorial is available to view online at https://youtu.be/vueAs3ExpPg.