John C. Williams

     John C. Williams, 102, formerly of Cadiz, IN, and Crescent City, FL, died at 12:15 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2021, at Orchard Pointe Health Care Facility in Kendallville, IN.

     He was born on May 17, 1919, near Middletown, IN, to Cort and Hazel (McCarty) Williams and was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Williams, his half-sister, Eva Anderson, and by his wife, Lois (Green) Williams.  He is survived by his children, Gary Williams, of Batesville, IN, Cindy (Lee) Evers, of Elkhart, IN., and Jan Marshall, of Indianapolis, IN., his nephew, Rex Anderson of Markleville, IN, seven step-children, six grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

     He graduated from Cadiz High School in 1937, where he later served as a school bus owner and driver for 26 years.  Some of his fondest memories were of the kids on his route and of spending many Friday and Saturday nights hauling the boys’ basketball team to their away games, frequently followed, win or lose, by treating them to hamburgers and malts at Doug’s Restaurant in New Castle.

     Besides driving the school bus, he was a farmer for 36 years, sold insurance, and served as the Henry County Surveyor, being elected the year John F. Kennedy became president.  He enjoyed telling the story of meeting with Kennedy’s personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, to explain his idea for a farm bill.

     In fact, he loved telling stories of all kind to anyone who would listen.  Getting the “John C” version of the story always meant it would last quite a long time, over several miles if you happened to be listening in the car!

     He was a founding member of the Cadiz Lions Club, a member of Sulphur Springs City Lodge #348, the Scottish Rite, and both the Murat Temple (Indianapolis) and the Morocco Temple (Jacksonville, FL) of the Shrine.  He was also a former member of the Cadiz Christian Church.

     Funeral services will be held at Hess Funeral Home, 603 Detroit St., LaGrange, IN on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 11 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m.  Due to COVID concerns, especially for young children present, mask wearing would be appreciated.  Burial will follow at Wright Cemetery on Turkey Creek Road, near Helmer, IN. Memorial donations can be sent to the Shriners’ Hospital for Children.

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