Lauren "Arky" D. Williams

Lauren (Arky) Day Williams, age 96, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Bethel Home. He was born to the late James And Goldie Williams on December 28, 1924 in Hawasse, Arkansas.

Lauren quit school to help work on the farm to help support family until listing in the Navy 1942. He was wounded while serving on the USS Oakland while in the Pacific. He won various commendations while serving his country. Lauren met the love of his life, Helen Williams, and they got married on November 18, 1948. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1953, they decided to move to Oshkosh where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Lauren worked at various companies during his lifetime; Rockwell, Coca Cola, Universal Motors, Lenox Candle, Universal Foundry, and finally Pinkerton/Barton Security until his retirement at age 88. His son asked him why doesn’t he just retire and he said he’d rather work and meet people than sit on a porch waiting for the end to come. He also owned his own business which was Arky’s Beer Store. He really enjoyed seeing the customers and just talking with them.

In his free time, Arky was a member of the Elks Club (Esquire), Lauren helped his son, Brad, with Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, the Oshkosh Warriors Junior Drum and Bugle Corps, and built a tree house while Brad was away at camp. Arky would also take his grandsons to the local grocery store (Bucky’s Food Towne) in a wheelbarrow whenever grandma would need something for her recipes.

While Lauren and Helen made various trips to local casinos, one of his highlights later in life was traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina to see and listen to Billy Graham (hopefully not because of the casinos). Arky also had the opportunity and honor to take the Old Glory Honor Flight for veterans in March of 2012 to Washington DC.

Lauren is survived by his son, Brad (Barb) Williams; grandson: Andy (Shannon), great-grandsons: Logan and Jonah Williams; grandson: Danny (Katie), great-grandsons: Cooper and Cayden Williams; sister, Lalla Pratts; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; infant son, Kevin James; parents: James and Goldie; brothers: Jesse, Dwight, Earl, James, Walter; and sister, Joy.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh with the Rev. Nancy Twichell officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, from 11:00 am until time of service. Face masks will be required, your understanding will be greatly appreciated.

We would personally like to thank the staff at Serenity Gardens, Bethel Home. Arky always talked about how nice and thoughtful the people were there and he really enjoyed all the activities they shared Bingo, bike rides, hanger at the EAA, x-mas rides through Menomonee Park, etc... as Arky would say "Thank you and God Bless.”