Kirby E. Williams-Benton, IL

Kirby E. Williams, 74, of Benton, passed away at 2:55 a.m., on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, IN.

He was born on August 23, 1951, to James and Katheryn (Crisp) Williams in Christopher, IL. Kirby worked as a Coal Miner. On June 11, 1972, he married Paula Baumgarte and she survives.

Kirby was a United States Army Veteran, serving in the Vietnam War.

He grew up in the Steel City Baptist Church. He was also a member of the United Mine Workers of America, serving as a past-president and treasurer of that organization.

Kirby was an avid Benton Ranger fan and was inducted into the BCHS Sports Hall of Fame, which he was very proud of.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and truly loved watching his grandkids in the pool. A special trait of Kirby was he never met a stranger and made everyone he met feel welcomed.

Kirby is survived by his loving spouse of 53 years, Paula, his sons, Wade Williams and Brent Williams; his four grandchildren, Taylor Williams and fiance, Matthew Tepovich, Tyler (Casey) Williams, Tanner (Isaiah) Williams and Kaytee Williams; his four great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Bella, Erik and Tinsley; his sister, Peggy (Mike) Poole; two sister-in-laws, Valorie Williams and Marilyn Conner; niece, Natalee (Conner) Poindexter and three nephews, Jared Conner, Justin Poole and Andy Poole; .

He was preceded in death by his parents, James T. and Katheryn R. Williams and his brother, James A. Williams.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home and Crematory, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held directly after the visitation on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Larry Miller, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery, with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

Memorials may be made to the Linda E. White Hospice House or Benton Community High School Athletic Department and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.