Edward "Allen" Williams was born February 21, 1951, in Paragould, Arkansas, to his parents, Maxine (Lambert) Williams and the late Carlis Edward Williams.  Allen passed away on November 4, 2023 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 72 years.

Allen is survived his wife, Sonja (Mabrey) Willliams, married on August 14, 1976, 4 sons: Brett Williams of Columbia, Missouri, Brady Williams of Columbia, Missouri, Derek (Tara) Williams of Columbia, Missouri, and Darin Williams of Jonesboro, Arkansas, his mother, Maxine Lambert Williams Sifford, of Cardwell, Missouri, and a brother, Joe Williams, of Jasper, Arkansas.

Four Grandchildren: Boston Williams of Blytheville, Arkansas, and Kason, Ember, and Norah Williams of Columbia, Missouri.

Other relatives and many friends.

Allen was a faithful husband, loving Dad, and a proud Pawpaw.  He carried the nickname, "Big Al", since his high school days for many. Allen worked with the family farm the first few years following graduation from Southland High School 1969 and attendance at then Williams Baptist College, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas. He held the manager's position at Cardwell Fertilizer Company for a few years and was a long time manager at the Cardwell Cooperative Gin, Cardwell, Missouri. After the dissolution and sale of the Co-op, he was given the opportunity to become the Land Manager of Gum Island Conservation Property, Cardwell, Missouri, for the Lawrence Group.  He has spent countless hours over the last few years improving the grounds for duck hunters from all walks of life. He once said that he would have paid them to get to work out there! He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter.  He introduced his love for hunting and fishing to all four of his boys at an early age and spent a lifetime of seasons with them in the woods, and on the creeks, rivers, and lakes around Doniphan, West Plains, and Wappapello, Missouri.

Allen was long-time Christian and member of the Cardwell First Baptist Church in Cardwell, Missouri.  He was faithful to service in the church, served as a deacon, and taught an adult Sunday school class for many years. He was a very early morning riser and a local café regular for breakfast and good conversation with a host of other early morning gatherers through the years, many of whom called him a dear friend.

Honorary Pallbearers: Joe Williams, Tommy Branch, Randy Blankenship, Brett Williams, Brady Williams, Derek Williams, Darin Williams, Boston Williams

Officiating: Mr. Randy Blankenship, Obituary

Mr. Dwight Harrison, Remarks and Remembrance

Rev. Steven Bricker, Memorial Service

Memorials can be made to the Cardwell Cemetery, P.O. Box 482, Cardwell, MO 63829.

Visitation will be 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM November 9, 2023 at McDaniel Funeral Service in Senath. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, November 9, 2023 at McDaniel Chapel in Senath.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcdanielfuneralservice.com.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Senath in charge of the arrangements.