Mr. Joseph Anthony Williams

December 19, 1963 - November 24, 2018

Joseph Anthony Williams, 54, of Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Peoria, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018, in Joplin. Joseph known to family and friends as “Little Joe” or “Tony” was born December 19, 1963, in Peoria, IL. He was a 1982 graduate of Richwoods High School. He attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Joe served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Joseph resided in Joplin for almost ten years where he worked as a tilesetter and carpenter. Joseph leaves to cherish his most precious memories: his fiancé, Lisa Colbert, Joplin, Missouri; his mother, Dr. Lois Hurston-Gaston, Tampa, Florida; his father, Joseph (Angela) Williams, Glasford, Illinois; his brother, Mark A. Stenson, Peoria, Illinois; his sisters, Annestra (Gary) Taylor-Doyle, Gulf Shores, Alabama; Alexandria Konishenko, Madison, Wisconsin; Arianna Williams, Glasford, Illinois; Maternal side; his sister, Jobryna Kathryn (Gerry) Dupree, Bowie, Maryland; his brothers, Harold Joseph (Sun) Potts, Pooler, Georgia; Michael Brooks (Pamela) Potts, Hilton Head, South Carolina, and a host of other treasured family members and friends. Joseph loved to attend church. When Joseph relocated to Joplin, he became a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church, and was ordained as a Deacon in January, 2010. Joe was a dedicated Sunday School Teacher and loved to study the Word of God. Within the past two years, the Lord led him to become a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Joplin. In August, 2017, he was ordained as a Minister. Joseph always recited what his grandmother and Aunties told him, “No matter what you do, always go to church.” And that’s what Joseph did! Joseph loved sports. His favorite sport was football. His pastime was to keep up with all the statistics with college football especially his favorite team, LSU Tigers. He always said college teams were more fun to watch because they played harder with hopes of getting drafted onto a professional team. Joseph was loved and surrounded by many friends. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 10:00 am with a visitation preceding at 9:00 am at Glasford Baptist Church, 209 E. 5th Street, Glasford, Illinois, hosted by Pastor Wayne Yeager. Reverend Steve McCall, Learning to Live Bible Chapel, Cary, Illinois, will officiate. A family repast will be held at Glasford Baptist Church Fellowship Hall following the services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com.