Burgess Marvin Williams

Burgess Marvin Williams, age 94, of Warren, Ark., joined his many friends and family into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, March 28, 2013, at Chapel Woods Nursing Center in Warren, Ark. Burgess was born on June 16, 1918, in Cleveland County, Ark., to Marvin Alexander and Anna Belle Carraway Williams. He married Ophelia Wagnon, the love of his life on June 1, 1941. She preceded him in death on Jan. 22, 2013. He was truly a man from the "Greatest Generation." Burgess was a veteran of WWII, serving with remarkable distinction in the U.S. Army with the 236th Combat Engineer Battalion in China, Burma and India. Burgess spent his life in the Bradley, Cleveland and Lincoln County area with exception of the three years in the military. He established his first business in Warren in 1938 just after graduating from New Edinburg High School. After returning from military service he opened Burgess Sales and Service, a family-operated business in Warren since 1947. He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. By example he taught his children and grandchildren the work ethics and dedication necessary to succeed in the work force and in life. Burgess operated a cattle farm in Lincoln County and for 56 years operated a mail contracting business in Southeast Arkansas from the U.S. Postal Service. He was awarded the Eagle Spirit Award from the U.S. Postal Service in recognition of his many years of exemplary service. He served as a member, director and officer for the National Star Route Mail Carriers Association for 45 years. He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Warren, a deacon, Sunday school teacher and song director. For over 50 years, he sang in the Warren Quartet with his wife, brother-in-law, Bruff Hudson, and friend, Alvin Doggett. The quartet had a daily radio show in the 1950s that aired at noon on KWRF-AM in Warren. Burgess served on the Lincoln County Quorum Court, a director and officer of Lincoln County Farm Bureau and a member of the Arkansas Cattleman's Association. He was a fan of the Warren Lumberjack football team for over half a century. He was a very positive man and his inspiration will live with his family for many generations to come. Burgess is preceded in death by his wife, Ophelia; a son, Robert Williams; daughter, Patsy Williams Trammell; and grandson, Will Alpe. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lathan Williams and Gene Williams; and two sisters, Verna Mae Hudson and Opal Jean Williams. Burgess is survived by a daughter, Gloria Williams Alpe and husband, Dick, of Bella Vista, Ark. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Mike Williams and wife, Sandra, of Warren, Ladonna Williams Hammons and husband, Joe, of Warren, Robin Alpe Wright and husband, Dan, of Bentonville, and Kristel Williams Ashcraft and husband, Craig, of Rye; seven great-grandchildren, Chris, Christina, Jaclyn, Austin, Drew, Emily and Katie; and three great-great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews; and extended family members, including his daughter-in-law, Pat Williams, the Nathan Moore family and the community of Cornerville, where he and Ophelia lived for 40 years. Funeral services were Monday, April 1, at Frazer's Chapel with the Rev. Rocky Goodwin officiating. Janice Sullivan was pianist. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery by Frazer's Funeral Home. Active pallbearers were Mike Williams, Christopher Williams, Dick Alpe, Dan Wright, Joe Hammons, Craig Ashcraft, Nathan Moore and Jimmy Suggs. Memorials preferred: Evangelistic Ministries, 114 Bradley 23, Warren, Ark.; Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591; or the charity of your choice. Online guest register: www.frazerfuneralhome.com.