Ronnie Dee Williams

Ronnie Dee Williams, 90, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away unexpectedly on February 13, 2026. Born at home in rural Fremont County, Iowa on August 26, 1935 to Earl Henry “Jack” and Mary Williams, he lived a life marked by hard work and selfless love for his family.

Ron graduated from Farragut High School in 1953 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army. He tried on city life, moving to Omaha, Nebraska where he met and married his wife Charlene Kay Strong on July 15, 1969. Together they welcomed four daughters who ensured a few gray hairs and more love than his heart could hold. They returned to his small-town roots in 1977 when they moved their young family to Clarinda, Iowa where they operated Baker’s Motel side by side for many years. A tinkerer at heart, Ron later worked in small engine repair both in Clarinda and later in Carroll, Iowa. He and Charlene relocated to Overland Park in 2007.

Ron will be remembered as a man who embraced simplicity, had the strongest character and could fix anything.

Ron continues his 56-year marriage to Charlene in heaven as she passed just 17 days before him. He was also preceded in death by his parents Jack and Mary, in-laws Charles and Ruth Strong, brother Jack Williams, and sisters-in-law, Paula Disterhaupt and Patricia Poledna.

Those who cling to the stories he shared and the love he freely gave are his four daughters, Mary Williams of Overland Park, Marcia (Herley) Valera of Olathe, Kansas, Deanna Lawson of Forest Hill, Maryland and Ronda (Jeff) Cade of Clarinda, Iowa; his treasured grandchildren Katie (Melissa) Williams, Ashleigh (Jordan) Dammann, Chance Cade, Salvador Valera, George Lawson, Vivian Lawson, and Mason Cade; as well as six precious great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Mick (Earline) Williams, sister-in-law Jean (Tommy) Biles, brother-in-law Charles Strong and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are planned for Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel in Olathe, with a reception and time of visitation following at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to the Veteran’s Community Project (vcp.org).

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