Glendell Williams

ABILENE: Glendell Williams, 91, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2024 in Abilene. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 2:30 in the Abilene City Cemetery in the Masonic Section directed by Fry-Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola.

Glendell was born at home in the Horn community in Jones County on September 20, 1933, to O.B. Williams and Lilli Mae (Umbargar) Williams. He was one of seven children.

Glendell attended school at Abilene High School but in his eleventh-grade year, he decided school was not for him. He pestered Mr. Longacer at Longacer's Gun Smith in Abilene for a job. Glendell retired from Longacer's fifty-two years later. Even in his past time, Glendell read gun books and did a little hunting.

But it was music that made Glendell really happy. He loved to play the fiddle and violin. He was taught by his brother Reverend James A Williams. Glendell played with the Oklahoma Drifters, and he grew in his talent when he started to take lessons from Randal Raylee of the San Antino Sympathy. He could often be found at the Old-Time fiddlers contest as a judge.

Glendell's well-kept secret was he loved to fly gliders. It surprised many of his family when they found out he had his glider license.

He is survived by many of his nieces and nephews. Glendell was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Little Buster (small child), James, Billy, and Jessie Williams, sisters, Theda Thurman and Nellie Brown.

He is also survived by longtime friend and fellow fiddle player Math Deatherage.