Pastor Ornan “Dale” Williams personally met Jesus on the morning of Aug. 26, 2020 at The Laurels of Dekalb in Butler, Ind.
He was born Aug. 16, 1935 in Decatur, Ill. to Ornan A. Williams and Gladys P. (Hays) Williams.
Dale was a 1953 graduate of Decatur High School and later received a B.A. in 1958 from Anderson College and a M.D.I.V. in 1962 from the School of Theology at Anderson College.
Dale was first and foremost a man of God and a deliverer of His word. He was a Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) minister in Auburn, IN; Des Moines, Ia.; Parkersburg, W.V.; Mentor, Ohio; Battle Creek, Mich.; and Jersey Shore, Penn. He also served as an associate pastor at the United Methodist Church in Auburn, Ind. for many years until his retirement.
In addition, he spread His word through music. An outstanding bass, he utilized that talent to lead worship in most of his congregations, to participate in the choirs of several churches, and to implement those skills as a Christian radio announcer for a number of years at WJSA in Jersey Shore, Penn. He was also a member of the local Christian group, Heaven Bound, a quartet (sometimes a quintet) that ministered to people through traditional hymns and gospel music. While at Anderson College, he sang in The Contemporaries along with Bill and Danny Gaither, among others.
Dale also had a heart for those in need. Before food banks and social outreach gained the traction it has today, he acted on a conviction from God and organized people and finances to establish The People That Love Center, later called simply The Love Center, a not-for-profit food pantry that also served daily meals, provided clothing and household furnishings, as well as assisted with resume and job search skills for the less fortunate.
Dale was also a very accomplished salesperson. He sold Cutco products to help work his way through college and at different times later in life; he also sold radio advertising and several other products and services. However, his greatest sales love was the World Book Encyclopedia. He won many district and national awards, the highest in 1994 when he became a charter member of their Heritage Society. Out of a sales force of over 26,000 men and women, Dale was one of the top 125 selected in all North America. He never sold any products or services he didn’t believe in, and/or research heavily.
On June 5, 1964 he married Jane (McIntire) Williams, who preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 2003. On June 19, 2004 he married Joy Maureen Hutton, who preceded him in death on Jan. 8, 2020. He loved both wives immensely, as well as his sons, daughter-in-law, step-daughter, and grandchildren.
Survivors include son, Anthony “Tony” Williams of LaPorte, Ind.; daughter-in-law, Kim Williams of Anderson, Ind.; step-daughter, Jacqueline (Casey) Crockett of St. Joseph, Mo.; grandchildren, Natalie Williams, Emma Williams, and Lucy Williams; step-grandchildren, Joseph (Leslie) Mulraney, Gabrielle (Scott) Lauck, and Dale Crockett; step-great-grandchildren, Alex Mulvaney, Ruby Lauck, Henry Lauck, and Annie Mulvaney; brothers, Ben (Karen) Williams of Savannah, Ga. and Keith (Shirley) Williams of Aurora, Colo.; sister-in-law, Jane (Larry) Reynolds of St. Joseph, Mo.; and brother-in-law, Scott (Diane) Hutton of Holts Summit, Mo.
In addition to both wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Christopher Jon Williams on March 11, 2017.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. La Porte time (4 to 8 p.m. Auburn time) on Friday, Sept. 4 at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 S. Center Street, Auburn, Ind., and from 9 to 10 a.m. La Porte time (10 to 11 a.m. Auburn time) Saturday, Sept. 5. A funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. La Porte time (11 a.m. Auburn time) with Pastors Stuart Kruse and Gary Ausbun officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to County Line Church of God, 7716 N. County Line Rd. E, Auburn, Ind. 46706.
Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center of La Porte is handling the arrangements.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlercares.com.