Gordon Lee Williams, 91 of Aurora, formerly of Gothenburg, went to his heavenly home March 12, 2023, in Aurora. Gordon Lee (John) Williams was born June 29, 1931, the oldest of eight children born to Herbert and Ethel Colkitt Williams.
As a young boy he went to country school and spent time helping his dad on the farm. In the winter he went trapping with his friends.
When Gordon’s father became ill the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he continued his education until his senior year. At that time, he left school to work on the family farm. The next few years he farmed in season and returned to New Mexico in the off season doing odd jobs. He learned his driving skills as a taxicab driver. He also helped out at the Unser Speed shop (Unser Racing). He continued to farm to help his family out until he was drafted into the Marines. He attended boot camp and because of his dad becoming more ill he was granted a family hardship and granted an honorable discharge. At that time, he returned to Nebraska to the family farm.
Gordon met Mary Ann Ostendorf at a rural school dance. These two were married Nov. 14, 1953. To this union two children were born, Rick and Marcia. A few years after he and Mary Ann were married, they moved into the house where Gordon was born. Gordon continued farming the family farm, renting more ground to support his family. As a young farmer, he also worked for the local hay mills and surrounding area ranchers.
As his children grew older, Gordon went to work selling cars and helped Rick get into farming. He later became a co-owner of Simon Motor Company. After several years of selling cars, he returned to farming. When he decided to retire, he rented his ground out and he went to work for Jack Sollor for about 17 years.
After Mary Ann passed in 2014, Gordon moved to York. He enjoyed his many friends in his apartment complex, usually having a meeting of the minds each morning in the courtyard with their coffee.
In November 2020, Gordon moved to Aurora to be closer to his family. In March 2021 he moved to East Park Villa, where he lived till the end of February. He enjoyed his friends and staff at East Park.
Gordon was survived by his children, Rick (Sherry) Williams of Athol, Kansas and Marcia (Greg) Nielsen of Aurora; grandchildren: Zechariah Williams (Melanie Hooper) of Lincoln, Christopher (Kristin) Williams of Lincoln, Stephen (Lacey) Miller of Kearney and Remington (Mandie) Miller of Madison, South
Dakota; six great-grandchildren; special friend, Joyce Williams; brother and sisters, Fred (Marlene) Williams of Ord, Marlena McElwain of Phoenix, Arizona, Janet Kelley of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Linda (Daryl) Block of Seward, and Charolett (Verlin) Janssen Gothenburg; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; his parents; brother, Dwayne Williams; sister, Elaine Wakefield; brothers-in-law, Bob McElwain and Richard Kelley.
Services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gothenburg on Wednesday, March 15, with the Rev. Jeff Cottingham officiating. Burial was in the Gothenburg Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Aurora Volunteer Fire Department or Aseracare Hospice.
To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.
