Frederick E. Williams

Frederick Eugene “Fred” Williams, 93, of Evansville peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Fred was born on March 18, 1933, in Evansville to the late Roy H. and Marie K. (Bender) Williams. As a veteran of the United States Navy, Fred proudly served his country from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. He worked as a firefighter on the Evansville City Fire Department for 29 years and at the Evansville Firefighters Credit Union for 28 years. Although he was a 1951 graduate of Mater Dei High School, Fred was an avid sports fan of all the local high school sports. He helped establish the first high school girls’ soccer league in Evansville, continuing to coach at Memorial High School long after soccer became an official IHSAA sport. For these efforts and his outstanding coaching record, including three state championships, he was inducted into the Memorial High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Fred had a lifelong love of airplanes. He spent years in the EAA Radio Control Club. He even obtained his private pilot’s license at the age of 60. He enjoyed flying his Cessna and was a willing co-pilot or passenger to everyone at Skylane Airport. With several friends, he completely rebuilt and flew a vintage Porterfield, an impressive achievement. However, it is his warm smile and light-heartedness that will be remembered. Fred will be dearly missed by his many family members, friends, and his beloved cat, Ralph, for his enviable patience, his gentle nature, and his endearingly quick wit. Fred is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sonja (Grundner) Williams; a daughter, Christine (Todd) Toriscelli; sons, Terry Williams and Kyle (Lisa) Williams; grandchildren, Nicholas Williams, Zachary Williams, Brooklyn (Kenny) Elpers, and great grandchildren, Khloe, Krew, Kaisley and Kallen Elpers. Fred is also survived by a stepdaughter, Simona (Jeremiah) Reising; stepson, Adrian (Michelle) Stoica, step grandchildren, Jonah Reising, Charlotte Reising, Milly Josephine Stoica, Marcus Steven Stoica, several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Williams; by a sister, Dorothy Williams and two brothers, Roy and James Williams. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Rev. Tom Kessler officiating. Entombment will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club and Evansville Fire Department Honor Guard will conduct rites. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Thursday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 10:00 AM until service time on Friday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 418 N. Wabash Ave. Eternal gratitude to friend and caregiver, Dawn Owsley for her love, care, and support of Fred and a special thank you to Pam, Jourdan, Stacy, Maggie, and the entire team at Heritage Hospice for enabling Fred to enter into his eternal rest with dignity, love, and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vanderburgh County Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or St. Boniface Catholic Church. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Frederick E. Williams

March 18, 1933 - July 16, 2026