Leon Ellsworth Williams

Leon Williams, 74, of Marceline, Missouri, (formerly of Unionville, Missouri) passed away at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri, on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Leon Ellsworth Williams was born in Graysville, Missouri, on July 8, 1948, the son of Wilbert Ellsworth “Doc” and Sarah Marie (McGhahy) Williams.  He graduated from Unionville High School in 1967 and began work at McGraw-Edison in Centerville.  Leon worked with Missouri Mining from 1972 until the company closed in 1997. He then worked with Iowa Wire and Steel, PSF, and for a coal mining company in Bussey, Iowa, giving him more than 30 years in the coal industry. Leon was a hard worker who could do many jobs as a laborer.

Leon enjoyed deer hunting and fishing as well as attending car shows.  He liked to watch westerns on television and attend bluegrass and old time country music festivals in north Missouri.  Leon married Cathy Anders in 1969 and they later divorced.  He married Elaine Shahan who preceded him in death. He moved to Marceline in 2016.

Leon is survived by a son, Scott (Mary) Williams of Marceline, Missouri, and a daughter, Steffany (Ronnie) Campbell of Cincinnati, Iowa.  He is also survived by three grandchildren, Ashley Williams, Josh Williams, and Rodney (Jamie) Campbell as well as seven great grandchildren, stepson David (Lisa) Shahan of Unionville, Missouri, stepdaughter Debbie (Jim Simmons of Kirksville, Missouri, and five step grandchildren.   He is survived by a sister, Anna Mae Partin of Hillsboro, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Elaine. Three brothers, Jimmy, Leroy, and Clarence Williams and sisters, Violet Flynn and Nancy Fowler, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Leon Williams will be at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, Missouri, at 11:00 am Saturday, January 21, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Pherigo Cemetery southeast of Unionville.

Memorials may be payable to the American Cancer Society and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.