Howard Williams

Howard L. “Catfish” Williams, 96, Springfield, MO departed this life Sunday June 17, 2012 in Manorcare.

He was born in Billings, MO to Robert Harrison and Rilla (Berkey) Williams. He grew up living on a farm. His many pastimes were hunting and fishing and he loved the outdoors.

He was united in marriage to Edith “Lucille” Chandler Williams on August 15, 1936. She preceded him in death in October 1988. He was also preceded in death by a daughter Walcie and his second wife Edna (Hembree) Williams of 15 years and one sister Salome Williams Soden.

Howard and Lucille were lifelong foster parents starting before they had children of their own with Walcie in the early years then Debbie later raising her as their last child.

Howard was a man of strong character, family minded, and very hard working. He retired from commercial construction as a carpenter with Garbee Construction after 30 years. He later retired from the maintenance department of the Springfield Public School System with 12 years of service.

He was a man of focus and passion that allowed him to not only pursue his dreams but work them into reality. He declared his plan of action for one of those dreams while visiting at supper one night that he was going to put a basement under the family home they were living in. Months later the basement was complete. Mostly by himself, after work and on weekends he realized his dream.

He loved wood working and had his own cabinet shop since 1958. He built custom furniture along with his own standard design. Howard was a craftsman and his furniture made way into many homes in and out of the area.

Howard also had another love and that was fishing. Fishing was a passion for him through his working life up until his health and age wouldn’t allow him to. He acquired a nick name of “catfish” for his love of going fishing for catfish. He fished for all fresh water fish but catfish became his ultimate passion. He was a master, mentor and buddy of anyone that wanted to know and go fishing.

Howard was very traditional and that could be because of his generation being born in 1916 and living through the depression. It certainly shaped his character and beliefs. A man of his word, honest and hard working, he would go beyond normal to track down someone if he found money that was lost. Howard was always willing to help others and would go beyond many times to demonstrate his character.

He was an avid Cardinal fan. You could usually find him around wearing his red Cardinal hat. He also enjoyed football.
He was always willing to tell stories of his life and his experiences and that would surface periodically was when he was younger.
Howard found a fiddle when he was a young boy and it was that old fiddle that help cultivate an natural music talent. Without a lesson was able to play anything with strings, banjo, and guitar. The fiddle was his most favored instrument.

Survivors include his son Marvin and wife Marilyn, his daughter; Debbie and husband Clyde “Shorty” Carter, grandchildren; Todd, Glennia, Jason, John, Emily and ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in White Chapel Memorial Gardens with Chaplain Charley Shurtz officiating under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. No visitation is planned.

If desired memorial contributions may be to the Alzheimer's Association Southwest Missouri Chapter 1630 W. Elfindale Springfield, MO 65807.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.

"The Touch of the Masters Hand"

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three.."
But no, from the room, far back,
a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
and tightening the loose strings,
he played a melody pure and sweet
as caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
and going and gone," said he
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand what changed its worth."
Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin,
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
a game - and he travels on.
"He is going" once, and "going twice,
He's going and almost gone."
But the Master comes,
and the foolish crowd
never can quite understand the worth of a soul
and the change that's wrought
by the touch of the Master's hand.