George R. Williams, Jr.

George R. Williams, Jr., 85, of La Crosse, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

He was born in Sparta, Wis., on March 1, 1936, to George R. and Evelyn (Barnes) Williams, Sr., and was a 1954 graduate of Sparta High School.  He enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, serving during the Berlin Crisis.  On September 25, 1954, George married Patty Rae Boardman in Sparta.

George worked for several business throughout his work career, most notably, Fairway Foods in Sparta, Webster Lumber in Bangor, and Sparta Floral in Sparta.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Arie 2833 of Sparta and American Legion Post 100 of Sparta.

He is survived by his wife, Patty; three sons, William C. Williams, John Williams (Jena), and Brian Williams (Alkala Allen), all of La Crosse; grandchildren, Lucas Williams of Minneapolis, Codie Williams of La Crosse, Carissa Williams of La Crosse, Kimberly Williams of West Salem, Alaina Williams of La Crosse, Hunter Williams of La Crosse, and Sylvia Williams of La Crosse; six great grandchildren; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis Boardman of La Crosse, Norm and Fran Warthan of Sparta, and Dorothy Rafferty of Eskridge, Kan., and Sam and Donna Sampson of Iowa.  George was preceded in death by a grandson, Robby Williams; a daughter-in-law, Karen Williams; and numerous in-laws.

A celebration of George’s life will take place on Tuesday, September 7 ^th , at Sparta Memorial Park, Shelter #6, beginning with a visitation from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., when a short prayer service will begin, with a lunch to follow the service.  Burial, with military honors, will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Sparta at a later date.  Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family.  An online guest book is available at www.schumacher-kish.com .