Kenneth (Ken) Leroy Williams

Taken from a brief autobiography written by Ken and updated by Joyce McGee Williams.

On April 9, 1934, in Denver, Colorado, I was the fourth born and fourth son into the family of Earl Martin and Minnie May Williams. Later two daughters, Lola and Nadine were born to make six children. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ray, Devon, and Harvey; and sister, Lola.

In Denver, he attended school at Valverde Elementary, Byers Junior High, and West High School. At 17, he graduated with a high school diploma from Pasadena Academy in Pasadena, California. He completed two years of college at Pasadena College and Santa Ana Junior College.

Finding himself without funds or a place to live, he decided it was time to do "my duty for God and country" so he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1953. During his Marine Corp stint, he was involved in duty assignments in San Diego and Camp Pendleton in California and various duty stations in Japan. He missed being in the Korean War because the peace agreement was signed while serving on a troop ship in Inchon Harbor. His primary duty during his tour with the Marines was as a Communications man, mail clerk, and clerk typist for Regimental Headquarters.

After an honorable discharge from the Marines, meeting and relating to people became an occupation for him as a salesman. He worked for the J.C. Penny Company in Denver and Cañon City, Colorado, then Farmington, New Mexico. Each change in stores brought more responsibility and increased income. In Farmington, he was in charge of the shoe department.

It was in Farmington where he met and married his wife, Joyce, who was the daughter of a prominent merchant having trading posts on the reservation.

He returned to school to complete his bachelor's degree, first at Denver University (DU), later transferring to Brigham Young University (BYU) where he graduated with a degree in Sociology, Psychology, History, and a teaching degree.

He began his teaching career in Farmington, New Mexico, teaching World and American History, later Sociology and Psychology. Although he was not a formal counselor, he had a great rapport with the students, both male and female, counseling and guiding them with their personal, interpersonal problems, and anxieties. It was there he earned the title of "that dreamy Mr. Williams."

During summer breaks, he worked as an Assistant to the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Farmington. In this position, he acted as Coordinator and Supervisor of city sponsored activities for the youth, including arts and crafts, tennis, swimming, archery, gymnastics, and the Youth Service Organization.

While in Farmington, my wife and I petitioned to adopt a Spanish/Anglo baby boy, Bret.

After much thought and research, and feeling it would broaden his knowledge in teaching, and have an opportunity to learn more about people and cultures, a two-year contract was signed with the Government of Guam.

The first year on this small spot in the Marianas Archipelago, he taught and counseled in a junior high school. The second year, he was moved to one of two high schools. Because of a typhoon the year he arrived in Guam, destroying one of the high schools, both high schools met in the same building, with two sessions each day. During the two years on Guam, he also worked as an announcer for the only commercial radio and TV station in that part of the Pacific.

Because of the rapport he had developed with the students, he received one of the highest and unexpected honors. He was elected as an Honorary Member of the National Honor Society. The first of its kind ever awarded in Guam!

After returning from Guam, he was employed as a counselor with the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, working with people who had both physical and mental handicaps.

A second son, Todd, was added to the family at this time.

Two years later, he returned to school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, to work on a masters, specializing in rehabilitation. After completing his masters, he returned to New Mexico and began working again for New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. He worked as a liaison with Health and Social Services planning and implementing an integrated program for the provision of rehabilitation services to the disabled public assistance recipient.

After a reorganization of the agency in 1969, he became a supervisor of the program located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was during this time, Melanie a half Navajo, half Hopi baby girl was added to the family.

In 1971, he was promoted Assistant Director of the agency and transferred to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1975, he was transferred to the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center in Roswell, New Mexico to take over the recently created Program Development, Research and Evaluation, working toward regionalization and accreditation with the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. While in Roswell, a third son and fourth child, Kyle (our alien), was added to the family.

After working in Roswell for three years, he was transferred to Albuquerque heading the agency here until he retired to build his own business, working with insurance companies and as an expert witness. He did this until his retirement in 2010.

A second daughter and fifth child, Micaela, was added to the family soon after moving to Albuquerque.

Ken leaves behind many loved ones, who adored him, especially his grandchildren, Brylea, Keagan, and Saryn Williams, and Jacob, Emily, Katelyn, and Benjamin Lund.

His wife, Joyce, survives him as do his children, Bret; Todd and wife, Letitia; Melanie Briseño; Kyle and wife, Tina, stepdaughters, Tatiana and Nichole; Micaela and husband, Jon Lund; and his sister, Nadine Johnson. And not to be forgotten, special family members, Cody, Elizabeth, and Micaela Kirkwood; Kelly, Leona, and Ryker Gosvener.

We all miss him, but since he was not going to get better, we had to let him go. The family was able to spend one last Thanksgiving with him on November 12, 2024. It was an unforgettable time for him, as he was surrounded by those he loved and who loved him.

Farewell my love until we meet again.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 31, 2025, at 3639 Sunstar Blvd. SW, in Albuquerque, NM. There will be an Honor Guard. All who knew him are invited to attend.