Williams, Leslie Gorden

Leslie Gorden Williams formerly of Dodgeville, WI. November 23, 1941 – January 5, 2026

Leslie Gorden Williams passed away peacefully at his home in Liberty, MO. surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2026, after a long battle with cancer.

Leslie was born in Dodgeville on November 23, 1941 to the late Gorden and Eleanor Williams. Growing up working on the family farm, learning the value of a hard day’s honest work. One of his favorite quotes was “When are you going to find the time to do it right the second time, if you don’t have the time to do it right the first time?” Active in 4-H and the Primitive Methodist Church of Ridgeway as a child. He continued to be active in 4-H as long as his children were still involved. He was active in church wherever they lived including being a deacon and teaching Sunday school. 

While attending Dodgeville High School, he was on both the football and basketball teams. He also met his forever love Diana F. Rikli. They were married at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Dodgeville on August 28, 1958. From that point on, his focus was on creating a home and a better life for his wife and children. His Grandchildren knew if they needed help with anything they could count on Papa.

Working more than 4 decades in the Liquid Propane Gas Industry traveling throughout the Midwest. He was a board member of several Industry associations as well as Neighborhood and Civic boards. He was awarded the first ever lifetime membership of the Missouri Propane Association. Most recently he was happy to serve as a member of the Clay County Water Board. 

He and his wife enjoyed traveling, trips throughout the United States, exploring Puerto Rico and to the United Kingdom where they visited the birth place of his ancestors. Many of his favorite vacations were spent traveling to his children’s homes and doing projects; building sheds, putting up fences, putting in floors, painting, trimming trees, or just hanging some pictures. It was common knowledge with his children, Dad would only stay if he had something to work on. Leslie “Les” never one to sit around, enjoyed gardening, trimming trees and general yard work, carpentry, taking care of his chickens, refurbishing houses and refinishing furniture and any number of crafting hobbies. Les was the consummate joker and prankster, his favorite accomplices were his younger grandchildren. You knew you were blessed when Papa gave you a nickname. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Gorden and Eleanor Williams, his father and mother in-law Vernon and Alice Rikli, his daughter-in-law Susan Williams, his brothers and sisters in-law Joseph Derrick, Ray Gleisner, Faye Gleisner, Joyce Williams & Peg Williams, as well as his nephew Billy Gleisner and a niece Susan Droessler, and his much loved dogs Max and Molly. 

He is survived by his wife Diana F. Williams, Liberty, MO. 

Children: Ricky (Irene) Williams - Philippines; Russel Williams – Copperas Cove TX; Kristine (Mark) George - O’Fallon Il.; Ruth Ann (R.C.) Gholson - Bryan, TX ; Scott (Alison) Williams - Dallas, TX; Stephen Williams - St. Petersburg, FL.

Grand Children: Jennifer Durham, Matthew (Amber) George, Christopher Williams, Michael (Trish) George, Bryce (Mary Ann) Pennell, Marcus George, Leslie (Ashton) Hitz, Jonathan (Brianna) Williams, Dylan Williams, Ericka Williams, Zachary (Adolynn) Williams, Emily (Eddie) Muzingo, and Harrison (Josie) Williams.

Great-grand Children; Katie, Ethan, Elias, Brett, Brandon, Adrian, Riley, Anthony, Savannah, Jacob, Kylie, Weston, Gorden, Tyler, Emmitt, London, Natalie, Isaiah, Macey, Brent, Erin, Lillie, Camille, Arianna, Summer and Cassie Jo.

Siblings; David Williams – Mt. Horeb, WI, Earl (Betty)Williams - Dodgeville, WI; Helen (Bob) Schuerman – Sugar Grove, Il.; Dick Williams – Dubuque, IA ; Ruth Derrick – Blacksburg, VA.

A celebration of life will be held At the Red Room Bar & Restaurant 108 E. Merrimac St. Dodgeville, WI. On February 7, 2026 at 1 p.m. with a service at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Leslie’s Name to the American Cancer Society, The National Kidney Foundation, your local arboretum or plant a fruit tree in your back yard in his memory.