Colonel Ronald Edward Williams, 68, of Caseyville, Ill., born November 2, 1946 in Sharon, Pa., passed away February 2, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, while his family was present.

Ron grew up in Sharon, Pa., with his brother Richard, and their parents, Myron and Carrie (née Wojcik) Williams. He graduated from Sharon High School, class of 1965, earning a full scholarship to Kalamazoo College in Michigan, class of 1969, where he joined the Air Force ROTC program.

Ron enjoyed a long and successful career in the US Air Force, wherein he met many dear and lifelong friends. Beginning as a Second Lieutenant, he would ultimately become a graduate of the Air Force Squadron Officer's School, Armed Forces Staff College, and Air War College. He began his service as a C-130 navigator at Ching Chuan Kang Taiwan Air Base during the Vietnam War, wherein he endured hostile anti-aircraft fire while flying missions over Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. He continued on as a C-130 navigator at Clark Air Base in the Phillippines, then served on KC-135 tankers in the Strategic Air Command. Rising through the ranks, Ron worked in logistics planning with Military Airlift Command at its headquarters on Scott Air Force Base. He then completed a year at McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach as part of the Air Force's Education With Industry program, after which he attained the rank of Major.
Next he completed a term of study with the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va., and stayed on as an instructor.
Upon receiving his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, Ron was posted to the Pentagon in Air Force Legislative Liaison to Congress. In this role, he took US Representatives and Senators on junkets to bases and other facilities throughout Europe and Southeast Asia to assist them in developing national defense policy. Ron also was the author of a controversial report and budget recommendation which received a deciding vote by the Vice President of the United States, in the latter's role as President of the Senate. After the Pentagon, Ron was assigned to at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as the Transportation Squadron commander. He was promoted to Colonel and reassigned to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey as base commander. In this final assignment he was well-regarded as an amiable but effective leader, earning the nickname "Bull Whip". Throughout his military career, Ron was always a "people person". One award presented to him spoke of "the perfect balance between the mission and people". Another is addressed to Col. Ron "Hooker" Williams, and names him "Head Transporter and Master Fishing Guide" for the 21st Air Force Colonel's Group. Ron always strove to conduct himself with diligence and honor, and the respect of both his peers and those under his command is the highest possible testament to his character.

In 1997, Ron received a medical discharge due to total kidney failure, which forced him to endure over a year of dialysis. Always an energetic go-getter, Ron was deeply frustrated and depressed at the severe limitations imposed by this treatment. His brother, Col. Richard Williams of Sarasota, Fla., began the process of donating a kidney, but was medically disqualified. Subsequently, however, Ron received a kidney transplant, and "by the grace of God" he began a new life in which he sought to seize each day as a new opportunity for friendship and good works. In his forced early retirement, Ron loved to travel all over the world, spend time with his friends and his brother and pursued many hobbies, among which his love of rebuilding and driving classic cars was foremost. This passion probably dates to his teenage years, where he and his brother and father rebuilt a 1948 Plymouth and took it for drives in the countryside. He was a member of the Packard Club and was extremely proud of his painstakingly restored Packard. Wherever possible, Ron performed the restoration work himself, and local craftsmen can undoubtedly attest to his careful supervision of the many tasks that were beyond his ability as an amateur mechanic. He also maintained a restored Morgan sports coupe, a beautiful old 911 Porsche, and many others over the years.

Ron was active with the Church and with various charities including Rotary Club of O'Fallon, where he was awarded his Paul Harris Fellow, and had many dear friends. At the time of his death, Ron still maintained an active monthly donation to his alma mater, Kalamazoo College.

In 2002, Ron met his beloved wife Mariela in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a courtship which would put younger men to shame, they married and in 2003 conceived a beautiful and vibrant daughter, Catherine. In marriage and family, Ron found true happiness for the first time in life, having previously despaired of such domestic love and comfort due to his failing health.

In 2007, fate struck Ron another terrible blow. Already enduring the harsh medical regimen required by an organ transplant, Ron was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer which would eventually spread to his liver and lungs, and, finally, his brain. Although Ron had perservered with inhuman courage and strength to live a healthy life after his organ transplant, cancer presented a formidable new challenge. Nonetheless, Ron refused to sit idly by, and he fought off the ravages of disease and an unending barrage of punishing medical treatments and still managed to live an active life, maintaining his friendships and fulfilling the role of a loving husband and doting father. Almost to the day of his death, Ron persisted in treating his family to overseas holidays and carried forward with the hobbies and projects of daily life. In all things, Ron wished to share with his family and friends, and was never content to enjoy anything by himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents Myron and Carrie, nee Wojcik, Williams; and his brother Colonel Richard M. Williams.

Surviving are his wife, Mariela Williams (née Velazquez) of Caseyville, Ill., and their beloved daughter, Catherine; his nephew Morgan Williams and sister-in-law Carol Williams.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Rotary Club of O'Fallon.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00pm—8:00pm, Monday, February 9, 2015 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington Street, O'Fallon.

Funeral: 9:30am, Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E. Hwy 50, O'Fallon, with Reverends Joel Catlin and Ron Dickinson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis County, Mo.