Thomas Lee Williams, 82, of Valier, IL passed away August 12, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, IL.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1930 in Griffin, IN, the son of  Clifford B. Williams and Emerene (Rainey) Remter.  Thomas attended high school at Rights High School in Evanville, IN.

On Nov. 21, 1953 Thomas married Geneva Pearl (Isom) Williams and she survives.

Thomas was an accomplished bricklayer and stone mason since 1949, and he helped build SIU, Rend Lake College, Carbondale Post Office, Times Square Mall, and many area schools.

He was a member of Valier First Baptist Church and served on the Valier Village Board for many years.  He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Scottish Rights.

He is survived by his children, Debbi and Gary Reed, Rockvale, CO; Michael and Ginny Williams, Sesser, IL; Lori and Denny Baggett, O’Fallon, IL and John and Crystal Williams of Valier.  Also surviving are grandchildren Michelle and Curtis Rogers, Chad and Tonika Schuster, Manda and Bill Palmer, Mikala Williams, Hannah Williams, Logan Baggett, Gabe Saul, Gracie Saul, Thomas Williams and Matt Williams; great-grandchildren Cole Rogers, Kennedy Rogers, Camden Rogers, Kassedy Rogers, Madalyn Pearl Schuster, Lyndsie Palmer, Garrett Palmer, Tanner Palmer

He is also survived by eight brothers and sisters, Billy Dean Williams, Lincoln, NE; Janet (Hart) James, Evansville, IN; Bonnie Provaznik, Valier, IL; Charlene Hampton, Christopher, IL; Steve Williams, Du Quoin, IL; Connie Cutler, Christopher, IL; Theresa Evans, Mt. Vernon, IL and Ricky Jo Williams, Herrin, IL.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jerry Ray Cavins and two sisters, Anna Rose George and Snooki Bowers.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 5 p.m. at Valier First Baptist Church.  Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the memorial service.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Valier First Baptist Church.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Wanda Lee Crowder, 85, of Mt. Vernon, died at 6:55 a.m. Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Stone Bridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born in Whittington on March, 14, 1928, the daughter of William C. and Iva (McCann) Baxter.

She married Victor James “Vic” Crowder on June 24, 1950, and he preceded her in death on March 24, 2012.

Mrs. Crowder was a member of Rescue Freewill Baptist Church in Whittington.

She was a receptionist for several years at a local lumber company.

Mrs. Crowder is survived by two sisters, Venita Kern, Whittington and Barbara Lemons and husband Harold, of Mt. Vernon.  Other survivors include a niece, Loma Baxter, of Whittington; a great niece, Traci Kelley and husband Marty, of Whittington; great-great nephews Daylon, Jace and Lane Kelley and several cousins.

Mrs. Crowder was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Charles W. Baxter and a nephew, Charles M. Baxter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 14 at Rescue Free Will Baptist Church in Whittington with Brother Bryant Harriss officiating.  Burial will be in Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, and after 10 a.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Crowder’s name may be made to Rescue Free Will Baptist Church.