Olen D. Williams, 83, of Nason died 10:59 p.m. Dec. 20, 1999, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born April 29, 1916, in Ina to Perry and Lillie (Riggs) Williams.

On Feb. 8, 1946, in Hopkinsville, Ky., he married Betty Glasco; she survives.

Mr. Williams was a retired coal miner, retiring from Freeman No. 3 after 33 years.

He was a member and deacon of Nason Free Will Baptist Church for 46 years. He had served on the Abner Cemetery Committee since 1973.

He was a lifetime member of the Waltonville Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the Elk Prairie Township Board for several years.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving from Feb. 10, 1941, to Sept. 24, 1945. He served as a tank commander in the 2nd Armored Division.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Williams is survived by four daughters, Diana Higgins and husband David of Waltonville, Karen Fields and husband Gene of Dahinda, Debbie Jones and husband Danny of Bonnie, and Tammy Reeker and husband Alan of Mt. Vernon; two special daughters, Donna Joy of Carmi and Elaine Jefferies of California; 11 grandchildren, Brent Higgins and wife Dee Anne, Ronnie Fields, Brandi Higgins, Barry Higgins and fiancee Tricia, Amanda Fields, Jeremy Jones and fiancee Stacey, Kelly Jones and fiance Chris, Jamie Jones, Aaron Reeker, Austin Reeker and Avery Reeker; two sisters, Mary Reynolds of Floral City, Fla., and Freda Joy and husband Allen of Ina; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Darrell; and six brothers, Burton, Pearl, Elva, Curtis, Kenneth and Max.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina, with the Revs. Jesse Allen and Russell Wolfe officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Abner Cemetery in Nason. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.