Thomas Richard Williams

Funeral services for Thomas Richard Williams will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 10:00 am in the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Tom was born on August 3, 1936 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He was the son of Basil C. and Elsinore (Brown) Williams. As a boy Tom grew up in Tulsa and attended Central High School. After his education, Tom joined the United States Marines at the age of 17. Upon graduation of basic training, Tom began his active duty in the Kodiak Islands of Alaska. He was later transferred to Japan where he finished his first enlistment. During his second enlistment Tom served his country in Japan as well as the Philippine Islands. Tom was honorably discharged after 8 years in the Marine Corps and returned to the Tulsa area in 1961. Tom worked with Al Alford in the heating and air conditioning business. Tom later installed the first air conditioner in a commercial bus. Several years later Tom accepted a position with McDonnell Douglas and then in 1970 was hired by Saint Louis and San Francisco Railroad (FRISCO) as a switchman. On September 28, 1973, in Miami, Oklahoma, Tom was united in marriage to Glenda J. Lyles. Following the couple's marriage they established their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tom and Glenda moved to Broken Arrow then to Coweta; finally moving to their current home on Keystone Lake near Cleveland on January 1, 1988. Tom continued working at the Cherokee Yard for 30 years; retiring from Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Tom retired to do more of what he enjoyed. He made repairs on the home, vigorously debated politics, serviced cars, raised cattle, reloaded ammunition and assisted Glenda in making leather goods. Tom was an avid firearms enthusiast and was a member of the Tulsa Red Castle Gun Club for many years. Tom served as back-up volunteer dispatcher to Glenda for the Peninsula Fire Department. In 2010, Tom and Glenda had a near-fatal automobile accident. Following the accident Tom supported Glenda's recovery from paralysis; despite his own wounds and disability; resulting in Glenda regaining the ability to walk. He helped her recover through exercises and physical therapy with loving compassion and unflagging optimism. Tom passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014, at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma, at the age of 77. Valentine's day was Tom's and Glenda's special day. Survivors include his loving wife Glenda of the home. They have two sons, Rick Williams and his wife Lisa of Eagle River, Alaska, and Lynn Lyles and his wife Keri of Norman, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Richard and Britney Williams of Eagle River, Alaska; Devin and Kaleo Lyles of Norman, Oklahoma as well as numerous other relatives and friends that mourn his passing. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Myrna Lynn Williams and Elizabeth Ann Hanan. In lieu of flowers family has requested donations be sent in memory of Tom to any of the following organizations: Peninsula Fire Department, 1008 E. Leroy Road, Cleveland, OK 74020; Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250, dav.org; Wounded Warrior Project, 12672 Silicon Drive, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78249, woundedwarriorproject.org; Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, vfw.org; Tulsa Red Castle Gun Club, P.O. Box 4302, Tulsa, OK 74159, tulsaredcastlegunclub.com.