Coyle, Oklahoma - John Clifton Williams, Jr., 88, died November 13, 2025 at his home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Guthrie. Interment will follow in the Clarkson Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

John was born October 18, 1937 to J. Clifton and Minnie (Grundmann) Williams in Mulhall, Oklahoma. He attended Vassar Elementary School for 6 years then transferred to Coyle Public Schools where he graduated Salutatorian of the Class of 1956. He played basketball and baseball and was a member of 4H & FFA. He was a member of several judging teams and numerous high placings with his Milking Shorthorn cattle. He was a member of the Oklahoma High School Honor Society. John attended Oklahoma State University majoring in Agricultural Economics, graduating in 1960. During college he was a member of the Aggie-X Club, Alpha Delta College of Agriculture Honor Society, and Gamma Delta Lutheran student organization.

John was hooked on farming from an early age. When he was 9 years old, he purchased his first show animal, a milking shorthorn heifer that won many awards. While attending OSU, John was confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Stillwater. The week after graduating from OSU, John married Kathryn (Kay) Flasch on June 4, 1960 in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the Zion Lutheran Church. The couple established a home in western Payne County a few miles from where John was born. John and Kay were members of Payne County Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Peoples Committee. John served as chairman of the Oklahoma Young Peoples Committee.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Guthrie, a member of Payne County Cattleman's Association, a member of Texas & Southwest Cattlemen's Association. As well as on the Oklahoma State Bank Board of Directors, Officer of Clarkson Cemetery Association, Oklahoma Milking Shorthorn Board of Directors, Officer & Member of Coyle Livestock Booster Club.

John was awarded the FFA State Farmer Degree 1956; FFA American Farmer Degree 1959; Oklahoma State University Agricultural Economics Distinguished Alumni 1987; The Goodyear Conservations Award of Merit in 1996; Oklahoma Conservationist of the Year in 2002; Payne County Farm Bureau Farm Family of Year 2004; Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year 2004; Oklahoma Governor's Conservation Award 2005; Payne County Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame 2014.

John is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mary L. Williams and Ann Marie Benson.

He is survived by his wife Kay; sons, John Clifton Williams III; Carl A. Williams and his wife Karen Ann and Clark Alan Williams and his wife Carol Marie; grandchildren, Cale Williams, Bennett Williams, Shelby Smith, Corbin Smith, and MacKenzie Smith; his great grandchild, Lee Smith and brother James O. Williams.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations be made to the John and Kathryn Williams OSU Library Endowment Fund.

Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.