Bruce Shelby Williams, Lt. Col., (Ret.), 84, of Springfield, MO passed away with his loving wife by his side on Monday, April 10, 2017.

He was born February 8, 1933 in Kokomo, Indiana to Brice and Bernice Williams.

Bruce enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 20, 1951; two weeks after he graduated from Kokomo High School. He graduated as an honor student from Aviation Cadet Training and was commissioned as an officer on June 1953. Bruce was stationed throughout the U.S. and overseas. While serving in the Air Force, Bruce received: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with five battle stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster.

On October 17, 1953, Bruce married Doris Jean Ezzo, and together they had two sons, Timothy and Thomas Williams.

Bruce received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and minored in Military Science from Columbia College.

After retiring from the military Bruce began a second career working for the State of Missouri Employment Office, and Greene County where he was instrumental in the implementation of the first 911 system and the first county computer system.

Bruce was a member of Campbell United Methodist Church, the Military Officers Association, B-58 Hustler Association, VFW Post 3404, American Legion, Springfield Elks Lodge 409, Twin Oaks Country Club, and Friends of the Library.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a wife Doris J. Williams, and a sister Beverly Joan Yoder.

On March 6, 2003, Bruce married Hazel Elley and together they joined two families.

Bruce is survived by his wife Hazel Williams, two sons: Timothy Williams, of Washington, Thomas Williams (Sarah), of Springfield, Missouri and a step-daughter, Kathy Duncan (Neil), also of Springfield, MO, five grandchildren: Shelby (Ashley), Wendy (Todd), Hannah, all of Missouri, and Joshua and Josiah of Washington, and ten great-grandchildren: Kassi, Jaimasen, Preston, and Vivian of Springfield, Missouri and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, April 14, 2017 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, with the Reverend Andy Bryan officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 AM Friday until service time. Burial with full military honors will be held at 1:00 PM at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, 3161 W. Norton Rd, Springfield, Mo 65803.