Raymond Francis (Sonny) Williams

                                                        Raymond Francis Williams “Sonny”

Raymond Francis Williams or better known as “Sonny”, passed away peacefully in his home in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on April 28th, 2022 at the age of 88.

Raymond was born in Pawhuska on October 27th, 1933 to mother Doris Adolph and father Ray Francis Williams. After his parents’ divorce, Raymond’s mother Doris would go on to remarry Ralph F. Engle. Ralph saw Raymond as a son and raised him as his own.  Raymond attended school in Pawhuska and enlisted in March of 1951 and served his country until April of 1971. During his 20 years of service which included tours in Vietnam and Korea he received multiple honorable medals and awards including the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, 4 Army Overseas Service Bars, The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with a Bronze Star, Expert Rifle, a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. After receiving his discharge paperwork, Raymond enrolled at Cameron University in Lawton, OK and received his Bachelor of Science in Biology, minoring in both Chemistry and Agriculture.

Outside of Raymond’s military and academic achievements, he was also a proud husband and father. Raymond married his first love Arline F. Brinlee in 1953 and was blessed with seven children, Jenice Williams, Yvonne “Janette” Williams, Ray Williams, Ralph “Lonnie” Williams, Billy Williams, Tracy Williams and Edward “Eddie” Williams. Although Raymond and Arline’s marriage didn’t last as long as they had hoped, they continued to cherish their children throughout their lives.

After retiring from the service and moving back to his hometown of Pawhuska, OK, Raymond met his second love, Debra Jech. They married in 1988 and Raymond became another proud father to stepson Mikel Watkins. Raymond loved Mikel fiercely as his own and always enjoyed fishing and kayaking with him. Raymond And Debra were married until the day she died in 2015.

In Raymond’s final years he also loved spending time with Jeff Ogram and his wife Heaven Ogram and their four children J’Syck, Cooper, Hudson and Knox.

Raymond had a good sense of humor, was a family-oriented man and was very generous—often times giving his possessions away to anyone who needed them. He had a lot of gumption and was a man of his word and always strived to follow through with his commitments.

Raymond will be dearly missed by his family. Raymond is survived by his ex-wife, Arline F. Brinlee, his children Yvonne Forcella, Ralph Williams, Tracy Sapp, Eddie Williams, and Mikel Watkins. His Aunt, Falyne Adolph Rivera and his numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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