Irvin Lee Williams

Irvin Lee Williams, age 91, of Pampa, died at his home in Pampa, on November 8, 2015, surrounded by family and friends. Services will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday November 12, at the First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ruby Moultrie, pastor, Pastor Paul Nachtigall, Interim Hospice chaplain, and John Curry, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, with military honors courtesy of U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Irvin was born to Earl Williams and Myrtle Barclay on September 12, 1924 in Ochiltree County, Texas. He grew up and attended schools in Perryton, where he graduated from Perryton High School in 1942. Irvin was involved with sports throughout high school where he played tennis the first two years, and played basketball and football all four years. In 1940, Irvin won regionals in tennis and in 1942, he played quarterback. Irvin was also a member of the National Honor Society in 1942. Upon graduating he was drafted into the Army, and served as Lab Technician in the 91st General Hospital in Oxford, England from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. After returning from war, he returned to Perryton where a year later he met the love of his life, Vera Wing. After six months of dating, he and Vera married on June 18th, 1948 in Perryton, Texas. They moved to Pampa in 1953 where he worked at Cabot Shops for 6 years, then for Celanese Chemical Company from 1960 until his retirement in 1987. Irvin was one of the last of those retiring from Celanese Chemical Company by name, which was later named Hoechst Celanese. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the W. W. Harrah Sunday school class. Irvin loved the game of golf. He had the opportunity to help build PamCel Golf Course in 1960, where he shared this love with Vera, his sons and grandchildren. Through the game of golf, he taught his sons the value of integrity by telling them “never move your ball in the rough, and always count all your strokes.” Another lesson he taught was to never take mulligans for this was against the rules. Irvin loved to play so much, the pro at Hidden Hills would have to tell him he would have to wait to play because the greens were frozen, and he would ruin them if he played. Irvin and Vera were blessed by adding two wonderful sons to their union – Greg and Danny. Greg and his wife Ginny (Virginia Britten) of Burleson added more blessings as they produced four grandchildren for us: Jacob, John, Matthew and Julie. Danny and his wife Caroline of Bartlesville, Oklahoma blessed Irvin and Vera with their first grandchild, Meghan and later another grandson Michael. Meghan and her husband Sean Wyatt, gave us our first two great-grandchildren Jack and Caroline. Jacob and his wife Taylor, have a son Ephraim and another one on the way. It was clear to see by all that knew him that Irvin dearly loved Vera, his sons and their families. Irvin loved to serve and help others, and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends who loved him. He touched the hearts of all those who gave him care during his last two years of life, as well as volunteers from the church and Gray Cares, who made themselves available at the ring of the phone. Irvin was survived by all the above. He was the last survivor of six children – Winnie Smith, Mike Williams, Lola Knowles Williams, Edith Stewart, and Harold Williams, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Committee or Choir Robe Fund, PO Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981; Gray Cares Living at Home, Inc., 511 N. Hobart, Pampa, Texas 79065, Pregnancy Support Center, 210 N. Ward, Pampa, Texas 79065; Interim Healthcare, 2217 Perryton Pkwy, Pampa, Texas 79065; or to your own worthy cause. The family will received friends from 6:00-7:30 PM Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Home.