M. Hugh Williams

Jan. 27, 1944--Nov. 30, 2010

JOPLIN, Missouri -- M. Hugh Williams, 66, formerly Kearney, Nebraska, died Tuesday (Nov. 30, 2010), in Joplin.

He was born Jan. 27, 1944 in McCook, Nebraska to Bede F. and E. Marie (Bratt) Williams. He grew up in Arapahoe, Nebraska, but spent one year at Kearney High School graduating in 1962.

He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a time, then worked in California. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1965, and served in Germany during the Vietnam War. He was discharged in May of 1967.

He spent several years with his father in the management of the Williams Unimart Thrift Center. Most of his career was with the state labor and job training service. He last worked at Cash Wa Distributing in Kearney.

He spent his last years in the Joplin, Missouri area.

He is survived by his brothers, Ron and wife, Carol Williams of Atwood, Kansas, Gregory and wife, Nancy Williams of Kearney, and Todd and wife, Tina Williams of Tucson, Arizona; and sisters, Jan Williams of San Diego, California and Suzanne and husband, William Ward of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Funeral services are Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney with the Rev. Mike McDonald officiating. Burial is in the Kearney Cemetery with military rites. Rites provided by the Kearney American Legion Post No. 52, V.F.W. Post No. 759, and the Nebraska National Guard military honors team.

Visitation is one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Public Schools Foundation or the Kearney Goodfellows.

Condolences, tributes, or memories may be sent to www.hlmkfuneral.com.

Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is in charge of the arrangements.