Kenneth "Deon" Williams, 78, of Richmond, died Saturday, March 6, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Deon was born on January 30, 1943 at 11:30 a.m. in Lexington, the son of Garland Ray Williams of Wellington and Leila Mae Lusk of Piqua, OH. He was raised by his grandparents, Leslie and Selma Williams.

Deon was reared and educated in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 1961. At age 10 Deon was baptized at the Baptist Church in Lexington. Deon was first married to Patty Allen of Richmond to this union three sons were born. They later divorced. In 1976 on his way to visit his grandmother at Shirkey's he stopped by Doris Jeffries parents' home where he met his future wife six months later they were married on October 9 ^th .

Deon was a union meat cutter for 21 years and belonged to the local union # 576. After 21 years as a meat cutter he decided to build his own body shop. On August 3, 1986 he opened Deon's Body Shop in Henrietta where it is still in operation today. Deon was an active community member and belonged to the Ararat Shrine in Kansas City. Was a member and served as past president of the Richmond Shrine Club. He was a member of the Richmond Masonic Lodge # 57 and the Camden Masonic Lodge # 223. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge # 1161 in Lexington and had served as governor. Deon enjoyed hunting and fishing which probably started with his best friend Bobby Briggle who lived next door. Together they fished and enjoyed shooting rats behind the Lexington Hospital. They also enjoyed swimming in the woods on 17 ^th St. in Lexington. The past few years he enjoyed going to Truman Lake in his RV and fishing with all his family members there.

Survivors include: his wife, Doris of 44 years. 4 sons, Scott Williams, Keith (Sharon) Williams, Kevin (Penny) Williams, all of Windsor, and Jeff (Nancy) Shanks of Ozan, AR, 1 daughter, Stephanie (Steve) Minnick of Richmond. 17 grandchildren: Logan, Brook (Chad), Samantha, Johnathan, Austin (Emily), Mason, Kaitlin, Aaron (Amanda), Austin (Jordan), Shelby, Devyn, Tucker, and Sean (also known as the whiz); 7 great grandchildren, Avery, Taylee, Caine, Weston, Blakely, Wesley, and Turner; 2 sister in laws, Sue Williams and Linda (Jim) Mullikin and brother in law, James Jeffries.

Deon was preceded in death by his father, mother, and a half brother, Steve Williams.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Backpack Program. Memorial contributions can either be dropped by or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 E. Main St. – P. O. Box 190 Richmond, MO 64085.

A traditional visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Inurnment will be at a later date by the family. Please remember to share your memories of Deon with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .