Homer Donald Williams, 87, of Springfield, passed away on March 7, 2021 at Mercy Hospital of natural causes.  He was born on April 27, 1933 in Claremore, OK to Homer Allen and Dorothy (Baldwin) Williams but grew up in Springfield, MO.

A Korean War veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1953 and then enlisted in the Army in 1955 where he was on active duty until 1963, serving in England, France, and across the U.S. He re-enlisted as an Army reservist in 1974 and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1993.  It was in the Army while serving in England that he met the love of his life and wife of nearly 65 years, Norma (Crane) Williams of Leicester, England.  In 1967, he joined the Springfield Police Department as a patrolman.  He departed the Department in 1970 to be a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Kansas City, but the family missed Springfield and he rejoined the Springfield Police in 1971.  As a police officer, he was dedicated to public service and took on extra duties such as participating in the "Officer Friendly" program visiting schools with the Talking Bicycles.  In 1987, he was seriously injured while attempting to apprehend a suspect and retired from the police.

Homer worked his way through night school over several years and earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Drury College in 1980. He is survived by his devoted wife, Norma, and loving children Donald (Robin) Williams of Springfield, Stephen (Jeannie) Williams of Rogersville, and U.S. Ambassador Karen Williams, Suriname.  He is also survived by his siblings Jack Williams, Dorothy Lou McElveen, and Janet Garroutte and his beloved grandchildren Paul Williams, Jennifer (Jacob) Dodson, Jessica (Phonesai) Lokham, all of Springfield, and Kimberly (Jason) Stevens of Rogersville as well as five great grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren.  Homer was preceded in death by his parents and older brothers Bill and Charles.

A public memorial service will be held on March 16 at 2 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield with a private military honors interment at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Flowers are welcome but if preferred, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children at https://lovetotherescue.org/