Mr. Michael Ray Williams

Funeral services for Mr. Michael Ray Williams, 73, of Leander, will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Crawford - A. Crim Funeral Home of Henderson with Rev. Joe Orr officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery under the direction of Crawford - A. Crim Funeral Home of Henderson. Mr. Williams passed away May 14th at his home in Leander, TX. Michael was the firstborn child to Ellis Williams, Jr., and Jeanelle Smith Williams, born on April 18, 1950 in Houston, TX. He is the great-great-great-great grandson and proud descendant of the distinguished General Sam Houston. The family lived in Beaumont, TX, where Michael attended elementary school. They later returned to the Houston area to West University Place. Michael graduated from Lamar High School in 1968. He then joined the Texas Air National Guard division of the US Air Force the following year, serving in Air Weapons Radar Military Control during the Vietnam War. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, and became an avid cyclist. He participated in many group bicycle tours and cross country rides all over West Texas. Michael joined his father, Ellis, in the oilfield pump business after leaving Texas Tech. He built his first plant on North Houston Rosslyn in Houston, TX, and took his father's engineering consulting firm into manufacturing under the EWCO name. They enjoyed many years of booming success. The downturn of the oilfield market during the 80's brought much sacrifice and struggle to keep the company. Ultimately Michael succeeded in making the Ellis Williams Company a household name in the industry; all the while giving credit to his father, and saving the company for the next generation. Michael made lifelong friendships and inspired loyalty among others. He was a big man in both stature and character; loving, kind, generous, encouraging, family centered, hardworking, with never an unkind word. He remembered the good and always looked forward. These were his gifts to his community. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Shirley Wolf Williams, and their daughters Sarah Michele Williams and her partner, Peter Zuorick, and Lisa Kelly Goodrich and husband Andrew Goodrich; ex-wife Barbara Gokenbach, mother of Carrie Elizabeth Kuntz, and husband Kyle Kuntz; and his only son, Jason Christopher Williams and wife YooJin Williams. Sister Andrea Claire (Bebe) Scott, and brother Jeffrey Cass Williams. Nephews Cory Scott and wife Jo, Travis Scott and wife Shauna, Chesley Ian Williams and wife Fe Elan; and our dearest grandchildren, Joshua Ellis and Dalice Belle Williams; Andrew Christian and Jackie Jeanelle Ethridge. Michael will be laid to rest next to his beloved father, Ellis Jr., at Bethel Cemetery in Henderson, TX. A memorial service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, for friends and associates at a later date. His presence resonates with all who knew him. He is beloved and missed by many. Condolences may be made at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Michael Ray Williams

April 18, 1950 - May 14, 2023