White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

WINTHROP – John A. Williams, 74 years old, of Winthrop, IA, died Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA, following a sudden cardiac event.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. - Monday, April 29, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, IA, with Rev. Paul Evans, officiating, followed by military rites conducted by members of Pump-Scheer American Legion Post #342 of Jesup, IA, and Bechter-Boies VFW #2440 of Independence. Lunch will follow at the church.

Public visitation will be for an hour before services, Monday, at the First United Methodist Church, Independence. Following the funeral service, John will be cremated, and burial will take place at a later date.

John Arthur Williams was born February 1, 1950, in Independence, IA, the son of Bernard Joseph Williams and Georgia Mae (DeGreif) Williams. He graduated from Central Elkader High School with the class of 1968. He joined the United States Marines and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. John married April Coonfare and together they had, John Jr., Rachel, and Marcea. The couple later divorced. On September 23, 1988, John was united in marriage to Debra Rae Christopherson at the American Lutheran Church in Jesup, IA. The couple made their home in Winthrop, IA, and stayed active in the community. John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence.

John attended Hawkeye Tech. in Waterloo, IA, and earned a degree in Police Science. Later in his career, he earned a degree in Human Services from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA. He was a residential treatment worker at the Mental Health Institute in Independence and retired in 2009. John liked to stay active. He was athletic and enjoyed working out. John also liked to garden and go fishing. He was a great student and had the ability to apply what he learned into his life. John loved his family and shared many life lessons through the years.

John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debra Williams of Winthrop, IA; three children, John Williams Jr. of Lamont, IA, Rachel (Tyrone) Wilson of Postville, IA, Marcea (Justin) Jacobsen of Independence, IA; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jerry Williams of Wisconsin, Joseph Williams of Florida, David (Lori) Williams of Winthrop, IA; one sister, Suzanne Frasher of Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Wallace and Mae Christopherson sister-in-law, Sally Williams; and brother-in-law, Mark Frasher.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Independence.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home – Independence is in charge of arrangements.