Fred Leon Williams

Fred Leon Williams was born January 21, 1930, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Everett Warren Williams and Eunice Estelle Sittler Williams. He went to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, March 21, 2025, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 95 years. Fred was reared and educated in Van Buren, Arkansas, where he graduated with the Van Buren High School Class of 1948. He was a veteran of the armed forces having served his country honorably with the United States Army during the Korean war. Following his discharge, Fred continued his education attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in agricultural education. It was during this time he met Geraldine Helen “Gerry” Washington. They were married in Claremore, Oklahoma, in January of 1956, just after completing requirements for their degrees. In March of 1956, Fred answered God’s call to the ministry. In April, Fred and Gerry made the trip to enroll him in Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Fred dedicated his life to the ministry, beginning with First Baptist Church in Chelsea, Oklahoma. After pastoring there for four years, Fred and Gerry moved to pastor Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma, in July 0f 1964. In 1971, they learned of a need for an English-speaking pastor in Brazil. They prayed for God’s direction and soon were appointed by the Southern Baptist Mission Board to serve as Missionary Associates in South Brazil. They lived in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital, for eight years where they started and nurtured the International Baptist Church focusing on the English-speaking community. After returning to the United States in 1979, Fred and Gerry settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during which time they were involved in the planting of Freedom Baptist Church in Owasso, now known as Freedom Church. Fred enjoyed a variety of pastimes including playing golf and playing chess. He also enjoyed spending time working in his garden as well as woodworking. He was an avid reader and student of the Bible. Fred was also a talented musician and enjoyed playing the French horn, often playing with the Community Band. He also enjoyed volunteering his time with Bit by Bit, which utilizes equestrian activities for individuals with special needs. Fred leaves behind a lifetime of memories for his family, whom he dearly loved including: Daughters; Carla Jo Peitz, of Dearing, Kansas Leslie Holman and husband David, of Shawnee, Oklahoma Linda Curtis, of Bullhead City, Arizona Grandchildren; Sophie Peitz, of Dearing, Kansas Mitchell Peitz and wife Rebekah, of Neodesha, Kansas Dawnella Haymaker and husband Arch, of Enid, Oklahoma Sarah Shain and husband Stephen, of Durant, Oklahoma Rebekah Holman and husband Jash Bangdiwala, of Tulsa, Oklahoma Michelle Holman, of Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma Perry Allen, of Phoenix, Arizona Shane Geant and wife Allison, of Phoenix, Arizona Ian Geant, of Bullhead City, Oklahoma 18 great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Gerry Williams, brother, Joe Williams, and two sisters, Rose Ann Boster and Eunice Sonneman. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Deron Spoo of Tulsa First Baptist Church officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be David Holman, Mitchell Peitz, Arch Haymaker, Mike Muse, John Boster, and Brian Boster. Committal service and interment, intended for immediate family only, will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Owasso. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Fred’s memory to Bit by Bit, 14674 US-169, Oologah, Oklahoma, 74053. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com

Fred Leon Williams

January 21, 1930 - March 21, 2025