Joel Steven Williams was born December 31, 1950 to the late Polly Ann (Prollock) and Jack Williams in Ardmore, OK. With his beloved wife and daughter by his side, Joel passed from this life at Mercy Hospital on April 11, 2022 at the age of 71. Joel was a graduate from
Joel was a graduate from Ardmore High School in the class of 1969. Upon graduation he enrolled at Oklahoma State University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology. On January 7, 1972, he married Rebecca Mock at the Lake Murray Chapel. Joel was a wellsight geologist on the East Hewitt Fields where he watched over 100 wells in 2 years. After the oil bust, he did everything necessary to provide for his family including working at the Ardmore Public Library, Citizens Bank & Trust and even learned carpentry working with his brother, Travis, at his cabinet shop, Williams Millwork. He was the office manager for Jack W. Williams & Co. until his retirement. In 2016, Joel founded Joel S. Williams, LLC, a lease and mineral sales & acquisitions company, and worked daily with his daughter, Frankie, until the pandemic hit in 2020. Joel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ardmore, The Geological Society of Ardmore, Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and was a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association.
Joel loved baseball and never missed a Rangers or Astros game. He couldn’t wait for opening day this year and fortunately was able to watch it from the comfort of his home. He loved good music, especially The Beatles, and could play all of their music on his guitar. He always had a guitar within arms reach and would play many times throughout the course of a day. Joel earned his private pilot’s license on Valentine’s Day in 1975 and logged many hours in the air. He loved flying his daughter to fly-ins and to Lake Texoma for breakfast in the 90s. From time to time, he experienced some scary moments in the air and even during take-off, but he was the best pilot and always made it safely to the ground. Joel was a history buff and knew just about everything about WWII; specifically aircrafts. He loved going to the beach at South Padre Island where he enjoyed boogie boarding, shell hunting, and fried shrimp at the Wanna Wanna Beach Bar. After retirement, Joel made a name for himself at the Prairie Kitchen where he observed what he called his “office hours” every morning. He loved his special waitresses, Allie, Connie, Brittney, Ashley, Vickie, and many others who took such great care of him. Joel loved his babies and was the primary caregiver for both his grandchildren until they started preschool.
Joel was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Polly Williams; uncle Bob Williams; aunt Donna Hurt; cousin Mark Hurt; best friend Kent Weldon; and his special pug, Evee Ning-Po.
Joel is survived by his wife Rebecca Williams of the home; daughter Frankie Williams and her husband Dustin; grandchildren Maggie and Miles, sister Ann Williams and her partner John Pollock; brothers Russell Williams and his wife Christia and Travis Williams and his wife Susie; sister in law Jana Jackson and her husband Kenny; cousins Mark Williams, John Williams, Barbara McMullen, and Michael Hurt; and numerous nieces, nephews, and so many friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Dr. Dustin Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Ardmore. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Craddock Funeral Home.
Dr. Dustin Williams, Louie Williams, Carl Jackson, John Williams, Robert Meek and Stan Kittrell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary bearers are Russell Williams, Travis Williams, Kenny Jackson, Dustin Smith, John Pollock, LeWayne Wood, Phil Tabor and the Ardmore High School Class of 1969. The family would like to express their gratitude to
The family would like to express their gratitude to exceptional caregivers at Mercy Ardmore including Stacy Nease MS, CCC-SLP, Tamra Morrow PA-C, and nurses Amy, Alexandria, and Travis who took such great care of Joel in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Joel’s name to the Edna Gladney Home for Adoption in Ft. Worth and the Ardmore Animal Shelter.
Online condolences can be made at www.craddockfuneralhome.com.
