Donald Eugene "Gene" Williams, 79, of Jacksonville, IL passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at his home.

He was born Aug. 7, 1945, in Beardstown, the son of Ralph and Wanda (Brasel) Williams.

He is survived by two daughters, Lori (Michael) Wankel and Amy (Bryan) Edwards, both of Jacksonville; four grandchildren, Ashley (Curtis) Tomlin of Springfield, Brooke (Phil) Wiegand of Jacksonville, Caleb Wankel of Jacksonville, and Madisen Beard of Jacksonville; five great grandchildren, Lou and Nora Wiegand, Knox Tomlin, Everett Wankel, and Kade Eugene Beard; and two sisters and one brother, Jolene (Richard) Miller of Dallastown, PA, Darlene (Wendell) Robson of Coal City, and Richard (Dianne) Williams of Chandler, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gene was a 1964 graduate of Jacksonville High School. He owned and operated Gene Williams Construction in Jacksonville for many years. He enjoyed playing Texas Hold'em with friends, playing Skip-Bo with his family, and collecting coins. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburg Steelers fan, and was a loyal Republican and Donald Trump supporter. Gene especially enjoyed helping his daughter, Amy, and his granddaughter, Brooke, with their rental properties, and was especially proud of his family's accomplishments.

A funeral service will be held 12 noon on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends 10 a.m.-12 noon prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Prairie Council on Aging. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.